"The Way of G-d"

Part 1: "The Fundamental Principles of Reality"

Ch. 5: "The Spiritual Realm"

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We'll return now to a point made a while back. Which was that we have it within us to affect change in the transcendent forces that G-d uses to govern the universe. And that we can do that by using material things particular ways (since they’re inexorably linked to the transcendent forces, and so they can effect them in an about-face sort of way).

Thus we see that we do something magical when we utilize material things in a mitzvah-related way (by either using them to realize a mitzvah or to avoid a misdeed), and when we apply conscious attention to fulfilling G-d’s will in the process. We change the course of history, "destiny", and the very machinations of the universe!

In fact, we’re said to become G-d's "partners" in creation by assuming such an active, vital role in the playing-out of His agenda for the universe and in His Providence. It’s important to recall, though, that we can either play a conscious role in all that; or an unconscious, incidental one, depending on our decisions.

Ramchal makes the point, though, that there are many, many factors and details involved in all this. That explains all the specific ins and outs of Halacha (Torah practice and regimen). For like any good recipe that has to be adapted to available ingredients and utensils, weather, time of day, mood, and the like-- the Halachic way of "cooking" (i.e., affecting change in) the universe depends on a great deal of specific details as well.

It’s also important to note that while the compass within which we're to accomplish all this is fairly wide, it does have its fixed limits. And G-d alone knows them. For while our sages and their adherents certainly passed down the details and some of the implications of His mitzvahs, only G-d can see them as they are in full. "For no one but You, G-d, has heard... or seen what will occur to one who awaits" (Isaiah 64:3).

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