The great medieval philosopher Maimonides, in his "Guide for the Perplexed," grapples with this very question in Chapter 6. He presents two fascinating possibilities. The first suggests that God, blessed be He, doesn't act until He consults the "supreme intellect," deriving existence from it. It's almost like Plato's idea of a Divine Being contemplating the world of perfect forms and then bringing reality into being.
But then Maimonides offers another perspective: God doesn't act until He is "crowned in the supreme Kingship." It's a powerful image, suggesting a process of divine authority and perhaps even… deliberation?
This idea of deliberation comes up elsewhere too. The term "Pemiliya," borrowed from the Greek, hints at this. And in Bereishit Rabbah and Midrash Kohelet, we find the phrase: "That which has already been done." Notice, it doesn't say "He made it," but rather "He did it." Subtle, right? But the implication is profound.
These texts use metaphorical language, of course. It's not that God literally sits around a table with a divine committee debating the placement of your pinky toe. But the imagery is striking! "He and His court deliberated over each and every limb within you and then placed it in its proper position," as it says in Deuteronomy 32:6: "He has made you and established you."
So, is God consulting with others? Seeking advice? Bereishit Rabbah is quick to clarify that when we see phrases like "the Lord" and "His court," it doesn't mean the Almighty needs help from anyone. I mean, how could the Creator benefit from what He has created?
The point, rather, is to teach us that even the tiniest details of existence, down to the organs within our bodies, were created according to a divine purpose. And all of this, the tradition suggests, occurs through the intermediaries of angels – all forces in the universe are, in essence, angelic.
But be warned, the text cautions! It's easy to fall into the trap of arrogance and foolishness, to think you understand the mind of God. It’s a reminder that the mysteries of creation are far deeper than we can possibly fathom.
So, the next time you marvel at the intricate beauty of the world, remember this: perhaps it's not just a snap of God’s fingers, but the result of a profound and purposeful deliberation, a cosmic dance orchestrated by the Divine. What do you think?