Ibn Pakudah then cites a number of instances of anthropomorphism in the Torah that seem to throw a wrench into our understanding of God as un-earthly, uncommon, and non-human. As he says in chapter 1:10 there.<\/p>\n
It is known that the Torah, the Books of the Prophets, and the lyric\u2013works of the pious very often use such terms for the Creator in two ways: either by suggesting a physical shape or form for Him (as, for example, “And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created Him” [Genesis 1:27], “Because He made man in the image of God…” [Ibid. 9:6], “…through the mouth of God…” [Numbers 9:18], “I, My hands, have stretched out the heavens” [Isaiah 45:12], “…to God\u2019s ears” [Numbers 11:1], “… under His feet” [Exodus 24:10], “God\u2019s arm…” [Isaiah 52:9], “…who has not taken My Spirit in vain” [Pslams 24:4], “…in God\u2019s eyes” [Genesis 6:8], “God said to His heart…” [Ibid. 8:21] and the like, referring to body parts).<\/p>\n
Or by ascribing movement and physical action to Him (as, for example, “And God smelled the sweet smell…” [Genesis 8:21], “God saw… He regretted… it grieved Him in His heart” [Ibid. 6:5-6], “God descended” [Ibid. 11:5], “God remembered” [Ibid. 8:1], “God heard” [Numbers 11:1], “God awoke, like a sleeper” [Psalms 78:65] and the like, referring to human actions.)<\/p>\n
Is there any wonder, then, why we misunderstand God?<\/p>\n
(c) 2015 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman ———————————————————-<\/p>\n AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman’s translation of Maimonides’ “Eight Chapters” is available here<\/a> at a discount.<\/p>\n You can still purchase a copy of Rabbi Feldman’s translation of “The Gates of Repentance” here<\/a> at a discount as well.<\/p>\n Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon “The Path of the Just” and “The Duties of the Heart” (Jason Aronson Publishers).<\/p>\n Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled “Spiritual Excellence<\/a>\u201d and \u201cRamchal<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ibn Pakudah then cites a number of instances of anthropomorphism in the Torah that seem to throw a wrench into our understanding of God as un-earthly, uncommon, and non-human. As he says in chapter 1:10 there. It is known that … Continue reading
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