Let My People Know

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: “Thinking God’s thoughts.”

If Scripture declares that when an ox gores another man’s ox, such-and-such should be the indemnity payment, this may be interpreted in any number of ways according to one’s point of departure.

In the physical world, it is fairly straightforward commonsense justice, not necessarily a reflection of the Torah as a whole.

For all images of Torah are vehicles of expressing something definite.

Every level of expression has meaning on its own level.

There is that which is of spiritual value and that which is of physical value, each with its own validity.

Therefore, when a person is engaged in Torah without ulterior motive, he may be said to be united with the Divine Will.

He is thinking God’s thoughts concerning God’s world.

–Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz