We Get a Torah, But What's In It for G-d?

Chabad.org ^ | 5/20/12 | Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

[Phinneous]

(Audio lecture)

[Phinneous]

What do you get for the G-d who has everything? Does He really need us? Why is He so concerned whether or not we accept His Torah and do what He asks?

[onedoug]

I’ve long thought that God receives a net return on goodness from the human species collectively, and that God, in effect, feeds off that goodness.

I know that from the media daily it seems that God is repaid in collective evil from humanity. But I’d be willing to bet that through countless small and larger charitible deeds and acts performed by human beings every day that there is a collective good that results, and that this gives glory to God and assures our continued existence through Him.

“For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

[Phinneous]

The RaMBaM (Jews make cool acronym titles for great authorities—Rabbi Moses Ben (son of) Maimon,) or Maimonedes, described that we should consider the fate of the world balancing on a scale, level between meritorious and wicked, and that one more ‘good deed’ can tip the scale to meritorious and bring the Messiah. So focus man! Focus! (and let’s bring some more folks along... :-)

[Jeremiah Jr]

Tikkun Olam!

[Phinneous]

...in a general sense. Specifically, I put ‘good deed’ as a more generic translation of ‘mitzva.’ The deeds (mitzvos) themselves were dictated by G-d. 613 (ant all of their offshoots) for Jews 7 (and all of their off-shoots) for non-Jews. But in general, the most bland and open interpretation of ‘good deed’ fits the bill. Help granny cross the street, etc...