Throughout the world and for centuries, the Jewish people have survived as a tiny minority going against the flow of society, clinging steadfast to their ways in the face of unremitting persecution.
How did the Jews do it?
Through absolute confidence in the truth of their convictions.
But how do we know that what we perceive is the reality? Are we objective? How can we ever really be certain of anything?
Putting it on the Line
We are all susceptible to being influenced under pressure. If you were a journalist looking for a good story, would you be willing to walk into the Moony organization and say:
"Here I am. I'm so confident of what I believe, that I have no qualms about spending a month with you folks."
Many would be afraid to do so, because there's always the chance we'd come out believing that Reverend Moon is god. After all, the Moonies have a decent success rate in brainwashing.
This uncertainty implies a lack of complete confidence in our beliefs. But if you "know what you know," then even the best Moony is no match for you.
Societal Tug
Absolute clarity in our convictions is crucial because the society we grow up in tremendously influences the way we think. If you were born in China, you'd most likely be a faithful Communist. Or if you were born to a traditional tribal family in Haiti, you'd be waving a Voodoo pin.
Every society produces people who are passionately convinced that their beliefs are right, even to the extent that they are willing to die for it. Ask an Iranian on his way to butcher some Iraqis: "Pardon me, sir, but if you were born 200 miles to the south in Iraq, would you be coming with a gun to kill yourself?"
He has not objectively worked through the issues.
Become intellectually independent of the society that formed your beliefs.
The majority of humans are products of society. It's simple mathematics: There are one billion Christians in the world and one billion Moslems. Each religion claims that the other's understanding is wrong. So one way or another at least one billion people are living in error.
This does not sound politically correct... perhaps there is no such thing as absolute truth.
But think about it. Some absolute truth must in fact exist. Either there is a God, or there is no God. He doesn't start existing if you believe in Him, and then fade out when the atheist denies Him. That's ridiculous. Either He is there and the atheist is making a mistake, or He is not there and the rabbi is making the mistake. It is not possible both ways.
You have to become intellectually independent of the society that formed your beliefs. Otherwise you're just a puppet of society. And society could be making some very grave errors...
How Do You Know You Are You?
Imagine your name is Jeff Korman, a lawyer from El Paso, Texas. You're walking down the street in Jerusalem and you see a sign that says:
Jeff Korman
El Paso / Jerusalem
Attorney at Law
An incredible coincidence! Curious to meet this guy, you knock on the door. A voice answers:
" Shalom! Come on in. Who are you?"
"I'm Jeff Korman."
"Jeff Korman! What a coincidence! Where are you from? What do you do?"
"I'm a lawyer from El Paso."
"Me too, that's amazing. Tell me, where do you live?"
"10 Clark Lane."
"10 Clark Lane! Whoa! That's my address. What's your mother and father's name?"
"Alice and Jack."
"Hey – that's my parents. You're a fraud! You're assuming my identity!"
Absurd! The man from Jerusalem is accusing you of assuming his identity!
Anyone who has studied abnormal psychology knows about the phenomenon of assuming other identities. The more ambitious people go after Napoleon or Queen Elizabeth. But someone might think, "Nah, I don't want to rule the world. But Jeff Korman, he's a nice guy. I want to be him."
The man from Jerusalem calls up the police and tells them to rush over with a strait jacket. You've got a lot of explaining to do. Because this "Jeff Korman" living in Jerusalem has friends and clients who will vouch for him. What a crazy vacation!
But how do you know you're right? Are you sure you are you?
The police are coming and you've got to convince them. So you reach for your passport. That's good evidence: Jeff Korman, your picture, your address.
You've lost your passport! What dreadful timing!
But you've lost your passport! What dreadful timing!
The man from Jerusalem reaches in his pocket and pulls out a passport: Jeff Korman. His picture. Your address! (This guy went to a lot of trouble to forge the passport. But in abnormal psychology, people will do all sorts of things.)
The police arrive. "Okay, mister, can you prove you're really Jeff Korman?"
You say, "I've got an idea – let's call Mom. That'll prove it!"
You dial your mother's number. She answers and you put her on the speakerphone.
"Mom!"
"Who is this?"
"Mom! It's me, Jeff! This is no time for jokes. I'm in trouble over here! Please, Mom..."
The other guy begins to speak, and she says, "Oh, hello, Jeff. Who was that other character?"
Are you still sure you're right?
This has got to be a plot! Candid Camera, perhaps. But how do you know? Maybe you really flipped your lid.
The police are pulling out the straight jacket. You make one last-ditch effort. You start grilling the guy with questions: How many rooms are there at 10 Clark Lane? Where's the kitchen? Is there a basement? How many steps? What's the name of the next door neighbor? Where's the nearest drugstore?
As your investigation progresses, the reality emerges: the guy is a fraud. He may be able to fake you out to some extent, but there's no way he could know all the details.
Phew!
Absolute Clarity is Attainable
Life can be confusing. To gain clarity about what you know, you have to investigate and get the facts.
Even though many people lack clarity on basic life issues, don't let that fool you into believing truth is unattainable. Search honestly and diligently – and you will discover the truth.
If you haven't found the truth, it's because you haven't searched.
If you haven't found the truth, it is because you haven't searched.
Our daily lives are full of experiences that demonstrate our belief in absolute truth. Often in an argument, we feel that if the person we were talking to would just be a little more open, he would be convinced of the truth. We only argue out of conviction that there is one right way.
For example, you are certain of the fact that you have five fingers. If somebody claims you really have seven fingers, or 21 fingers, that does not in any way diminish your confidence. Since you can count five fingers on your hand, you have an unshakable conviction.
Judaism says: Get five-finger clarity about all your beliefs and values.
A heavy steel chain is only as strong as its weakest link. One flimsy link in the middle of the chain renders it practically worthless. A shorter chain is more worthwhile. At least you can use it.
Your knowledge base is a chain. Areas of confusion must be isolated so that they don't permeate your whole self-confidence. Once you compartmentalize what you are unclear about, convictions can be maintained in other areas. These convictions form the powerful links in the chain, enabling you to expand and strengthen your knowledge with confidence.
Knowledge, Belief, Faith & Socialization
All convictions can be classified into one of four categories:
1. Knowledge – you are absolutely certain – e.g. the fact that you have five fingers.
2. Belief – you have some, but lack complete evidence.
3. Faith – you have a desire to believe, with no supporting evidence.
4. Socialization – you accept it based on societal conditioning.
Did your brother rob a bank this week? You don't believe so... Your brother's good character is evidence that he didn't rob a bank, but you can't be absolutely sure. If you were suddenly presented with witnesses, fingerprints and a video showing your brother walking into the bank carrying a shotgun and commanding, "Give me all your money!" you'd say, "Gee, I never would have believed it."
However, if one day you were confronted with a videotape and witnesses saying, "You robbed a bank," you'd say, "It's a frame-up, it's ridiculous" – because you know it's absolutely false. That's the difference between knowledge and belief.
Faith is a leap against logic, a product of desire.
Faith is a leap against logic, a product of desire. Did you ever get a hot tip on the stock market guaranteeing to triple your money in one month? Many people with good sense still get fleeced because they are allured by the promise of quick money. That's faith.
Socialization is ideas you accept from society without ever checking them out for yourself. In America, it's capitalism; in China it's communism. To Iranians, Mohammed is god; to Italians it's Jesus. Have you examined the evidence – or are you going along with the crowd?
The Obligation to Know
The first of the Ten Commandments declares: "Know there is a God."
The logic underlying this commandment seems difficult to understand. Someone who already observes God's commandments obviously believes in His existence – so what need is there for a new command to do so? And if someone doesn't know that He exists, why should he listen to this command?!
So exactly who is this mitzvah for?
The answer is that we should not believe in God "on faith" alone. Investigate the evidence. Get knowledge. Research. Study. Analyze. It is a fundamental principle of Judaism: You have to know, not just believe.
God has the confidence that His existence will be abundantly apparent.
Beware of any system which discourages questioning. Anyone who stifles questions is afraid that it could uncover the falseness of the beliefs.
God has the confidence that if we use our minds and sincerely seek the truth, then His existence will be abundantly apparent.
How have the Jewish people had the strength to survive all these persecutions? A rock solid belief in the truth of their convictions.
Were they right? That's something you'll have to find out for yourself. Figure out what's bothering you and get some answers. Be sincere in your quest for knowledge. Make the effort. Know what you know.
(22) MUSA A M, March 18, 2016 8:14 PM
QED you captured the essence of Humanity
VERY WELL SAID
(21) Susan McMahon Saraf, May 7, 2015 2:28 PM
My Iranian husband is JEWISH! NOT MUSLIM=Knowledge
Great article and I, an Irish Christian, gain much from this websites content. The only distraction from your excellent messaging is your beliefs vs. your knowledge. Time and again I find the authors insist on making points with sweeping generalizations that serve to diminish life and turn me away from Judaism. Iranians on the whole DO NOT believe that Muhammad is their God. How do I KNOW this? My husband is a Persian Jew- exiled in the revolution of 1979. They are possibly the last untold story of Jewish oppression. But being a nationality is NOT a religion. I find many european Jews will say when asked what their origins are in reference to nationality they reply they are "Jewish", instead of Polish or German. This seems like showing solidarity but it is actually quite alienating and limited to those listening. I do not say I am "Christian", I say I am an Irish- American. Please give this some thought. There are so few Jews in population- certainly not a billion, i believe this can change with creating a more open atmosphere around messaging. It seems too closed a club. Polarizing, when it is in truth a beautiful religion, filled with Good direction and truth. Best, Susan McMahon Saraf
(20) Anonymous, October 18, 2014 9:43 AM
Not so certain
Deep conviction does not amount to knowledge. Perhaps in a platonic sense of justified true belief, but that's as far as it goes. How do I know I have 5 fingers? It may be an extremely persistent global hallucination we all share. how are we to know? The true nature of things may truely be unknowable, or maybe they can, but as far as I can see, I am uncertain. I do not think the Rabbi truely considered this postulate.
This is something anyone honestly inquiring about the nature of things must consider.
(19) Anonymous, August 31, 2014 9:58 PM
#7 = Spiritual Perfection
I read the above article as a reinforcement for the class I took earlier, which asks, "Does Judaism require a leap of faith?" As the class instructor stated, as well as Rabbi Noah Weinberg, blessed be his soul, one does not have to conform to human conditioning to believe that God, exists in an infinite form. However, as they encouraged, if one researches about the truth, and becomes truly focus in finding the truth, just by going back to read the Torah about millions of people observing the encriptions of the ten commandments tablet at Mount Sinai; millions of people watching the red sea split in two creating a dry path for the Jews to escape and run through dried land before the path closed with the water that drowned the persecutors during the exodus; in modern time, we have just saw how three brilliant righteous kids were abducted and murdered by Hamas, and yet it was one unfortunate way for God to lead Israel to discover dozens of tunnel built by terrorist Hamas, that Hamas would have used to infiltrate into Israel and do a substantial unpredictable amount of harm. So, these are the events and truth that make me deeply believe and have perfect confidence in Olam HaEmet and the existence of Hashem. Not that the three boys death is justified by finding the tunnels, no, there is nothing in this world that can justify this type of killing, but the fact that finding the tunnels will prevent mass killing by the enemies, to me justify the existence of God. Thank you for the two great classes earlier today, and thank you for continuing to introduce Rabbi Noah Weinberg's legacy. God bless you all.
(18) Leo Sarini, August 14, 2012 4:24 AM
CRAZY
After all the story, I read: " The answer is that we should not believe in God "on faith" alone. Investigate the evidence. Get knowledge. Research. Study. Analyze" Religious people believe in God because they have faith, there is no single evidence, I mean SERIOUS evidence. Dont tell me God of Gaps, etc.etc. show strong evidence without entering fairy tales, maase, "it was upon a time a powerful and merciful king, etc.etc." SHOW STRONG EVIDENCE. Period. I think people here write what other people want to listen, they dont analyze NOTHING. They just follow the crowd... Respectfully Leo
(17) femi, February 3, 2010 3:23 PM
this is inspiring!
thank you Rabbi, for this word of inspiration. knowing the truth would always make man to be at liberty. I love the Five -finger idea, infacts God bless you richly for this teaching.
(16) Clive, January 23, 2009 6:19 AM
Truly enlightening
This site is inspiring. Noah Weinbergs articles and audio mp3s have awakened my spirituality and desire to learn more. So refreshing to be encouraged to question as opposed to accepting what you are told. Thank you so much. G-d bless ou.
(15) RobvanDijk,Amsterdam,TheNetherelands, July 16, 2008 4:54 PM
I love Rabbi Weinbereg, I wish he was my (extra) grandfather :)
He never fails to inspire me, reading his articles empowers my faith and confidence in truths and rights.
Thank you, Rabbi.
G-t soll im hieten, gesond sol er sein !
(14) thomas eby, May 16, 2008 9:18 PM
Epistemology
Of the many articles that I have read I find this one to be the most important. It speaks to the heart of what man knows and does not know.
I live my life in the knowledge that I know what I know because I take no one individuals word for anything without checking it against facts that I search out. I often refer others to look up the word epistemology when they say they believe something but have only faith or little proof of it.
I frustrate both family and friends when I question their faith in something that they will not try to prove. I have always questioned everything I hear or read and will not accept anything just because a so called authority tells us something is so. Jews as all people are subject to faulty thinking. It is not just a fundamental principal of Judaism it is a fundamental principal of life.
When I was a child I accepted what I was told but as a man I accept nothing until I have found the absolute truth. This is the principal in my life and it will comfort me in my death. I do not have faith that God exists, I know it.
Epistemology. Let us never forget. How do we know what we know?
(13) Hendrik Havenga, February 23, 2008 6:07 AM
I agree...
You guys are amazingly different from all other religions! Nowhere in my life have I ever heard of such an honest and open minded theory!
Although I am a goy, I always question everything; and I literally mean everything. For example, "How can one be so sure that reason is absolute? Can reason be questioned and answered through reason? Why can't we think further than contradiction? Am I not busy contradicting myself? Isn't this again reason...?"
As these questions began to impede my mental functionality, I decided, through prayer, that I will create functional and (apparent) non-functional spaces in my mind. Because I didn't want to be ignorant of anything, especially not apparent annoying questions, I decided to place all the questions that impede me mentally, in the non-functional box. Not ignoring them, nor letting them rule my life, but praying about them...
"Where ignorance/obstinacy is bliss 'tis folly to be wise."
BUT
"A city without walls belongs to the fouls claws."
...AND
Floating in the middle is prey for the military motto: "Divide and conquer."
Therefore not wanting to be a feather floating in the wind, I have decided to be, in a humble manner, 'gudsmuts'/arrogant on what I believe. Because nothing is, apparently, absolute ("it's all relative"), I believe that a good indicator of one's relationship with Truth, is a clean and honest conscience (Lying to yourself is suicide...).
Since this is just a believe and I can't prove all the above mentioned, nor the statement that nothing is absolute, absolute; nor prove reason absolute with the only fundamental I know of, Reason - although I know (with reason!) that there must be a deeper fundamental inside me in order to question Reason; and since, at the end reason and contradiction seems to be one in the same thing....
I can only hope upon Truth.
(12) Victoria H, February 11, 2008 2:16 PM
I'm Nearly Home!
I was made to believe that there are 3 Gods. My Christian upbringing didn't give me a chance to find the truth. But I know that since I was a child, and learned to pray, I know deep in my heart that I have always been talking one God,to G-d, the Father Almighty, the Crator of the Universe,straight to Him. I am much happier now, and it's a wonderful feeling to know that I'm nearly 'home'. Thank you so much, Rabbi Weinberg. Thank you for your inspiring articles.
(11) Anonymous, December 5, 2007 7:16 PM
Amazing!
I was assigned a Jewish Outlook paper, and as I aimed to gain an A on my Clarity of the Mind paper, I did not expect to gain a new level of inspiration, and a deeper faith in Torah! A truly amazing artcle!
(10) consuelo madero, July 1, 2007 5:20 PM
Inspiration
Hi everybody,
I have been reading all of the spirituality articles, ther are so inspiring.
I like the fact that you have a character from El Paso,TX. This is where I am right now!!
Thank you for your beautiful articles.
I hope G-d continues blessing you with inspiration so we can all enjoy your postings.
(9) Sara, May 31, 2007 3:55 PM
Thank You So Much!
All our lives we are not encouraged to find the real truth. We are told that this is what our parents believed and that should be good enough. Well a couple of weeks ago I said "Enough is Enough, I will find the truth!" For once, I no longer cared if I went against every I had been taught to believe as a former Christian. I am now a Noahide studying for conversion and for once I feel like I am on my way home. Thank you.
(8) Aliza, March 20, 2006 12:00 AM
great article
great article that completely encourages open questions and the need to obtain complete knowledge of our "beliefs" and the creator. Every Yeshivah should follow this example and teach the yesodot of torah so that more high school graduates can have an understanding of exactly what it means to be jewish.
(7) Darin Lazarus, January 12, 2003 12:00 AM
Aish.com rocks!
I really enjoyed reading this article. It was so clear-cut, logical, and profound that i was constantly saying ahah! outloud. Keep up the good work!
(6) Roiza Weinreich, October 13, 2001 12:00 AM
Encouraging and uplifting
Thank you for an encouraging and uplifting essay. You brought ideas to the surface that I know are true but need to keep in front of my eyes.
(5) William Finch, April 19, 2001 12:00 AM
Thanks from Boston!
Thank you for the well-written timely article concerning an issue I am grappling with RIGHT NOW! A year ago, I started out on the secular side of ultra-Reform...almost a disenfranchised Jew. However, I have been studying weekly at Aish Boston for about a year now. (Come visit us!) In my questioning of Judaism I have found that all the answers "make sense" and lead to deeper questions.
I'm probably well into the Belief stage and am working on reaching Conviction of G-d's prescence in my life. My wish is for all Jews to reach this level of belief soon.
(4) Anthony Byrne, April 11, 2001 12:00 AM
I find it fascinating to learn about the Jewish faith and its specific qualities, which for me render it so completley different and true when compared to other religions. The idea that as a Jew one should examine there own mind and foster an individual faith in G-d, without using religious adherence and submission to social "practice" as a measure of there worth and religiousness.
(3) , March 20, 2001 12:00 AM
This is the reason I converted
I was a socialized Christian as a youth when I began to learn about Judaism. I had no one in my neighborhood to learn from -- it was pure WASP. But I read something, or saw something, or heard something that made me wonder -- wonder why the Jews had managed to persevere, wonder why Jews were allowed to question, to seek knowledge of their G-d, wonder why Christianity was considered "better" by my friends and family when such questioning was not allowed. The wondering led to questions, and the questions led to answers that have always seemed certain to me. And so I continue changing my life to match my still-growing understanding of Judaism, as I continue to question, and to find answers.
(2) Jane, March 18, 2001 12:00 AM
So eloquent and articulate!
Rabbi Weinberg eloquently addresses the struggles faced by anyone who honestly has to reexamine the beliefs he/she was raised to believe. I've often said, "With so many religions, and all of them believing they're correct, how do we know who is really right?" The evidence is there for the empirical observer, and the signs are there if we choose to see them. Just as the Purim story, G-d is evidenced in series of "coincidences" in our everyday lives. If we keep looking for the signs and study the evidence of G-d's hand in all things, we continually reaffirm and strengthen our belief - and knowledge - of Him.
(1) , March 18, 2001 12:00 AM
Wonderful
A fine article--clear and well thought out. Unfortunately the philosophies of some other religions have led most of us to believe that "knowledge" of G-d's existence is impossible, that only "blind faith" rules the day. This attitude leaves people free to pursue whatever religion or philosophy suits their desires, without feeling the need to evaluate it on the scale of truth. For many people, belonging to a religion, is similar to chearing for the home team.
To point out a detail that may be in need of correction: Iranians, unless there's some wierd sect of Islam over there, don't believe Mohammed is a god. They think that he was a "prophet."