Jewish choice
Who Is a Jew: Patrilineal Descent
When Dad is Jewish and Mom is not, are the kids Jewish? Depends on who you ask.
Becoming Free in Judaism
From the beginning of biblical time, man has struggled to break his binding ties in order to become free, independent, and fully human.
The Free Will Problem: Modern Solutions
Modern thinkers have addressed the free will problem by questioning the authority of science, acknowledging the limits of freedom, and asserting the transcendent importance of choice.
The Denial of Free Will in Hasidic Thought
According to some Hasidic thinkers, human free will is an illusion; God causes all human actions.
Free Will Problem in Judaism
The idea that God controls the world, determining the trajectory and details of its history, is strong in Judaism and is one of the theological issues that contributes to the Jewish problem of free will.
The Free Will Problem: Medieval Approaches
In the Middle Ages, Jewish thinkers struggled to reconcile God's knowledge of the future with human choice.
The Free Will Problem: Early Solutions
Biblical and rabbinic sources stress both divine determinism and human freedom.
Hardened Hearts: Removing Free Will
The Bible records several problematic instances of God hardening human hearts, seemingly stripping them of free will.
Divine Providence
According to some thinkers, God only watches over people in a general way; according to others, divine providence extends to the minute details of life.