The Role of Free Will in the Pursuit of Virtue

In Maimonides’ works, particularly in his Hilchot Teshuva (Laws of Repentance), the concept of free will plays a pivotal role. He discusses the inherent freedom granted to humanity, emphasizing that every individual has the ability to choose righteousness or wickedness. This choice is at the core of our existence, and it is what makes our ethical decisions meaningful. Without the freedom to choose, moral responsibility would be impossible, and virtue would be meaningless.

Maimonides says:
“Each person has been given the ability to choose their path—whether to be righteous or wicked. Free will is granted to all, and nothing forces or dictates a person’s actions. Therefore, every individual is responsible for their deeds.”
(Ch. 5, V. 1)

This profound insight reinforces the Jewish understanding that man is not a passive actor in the drama of life. Instead, we are all active participants, shaping our destinies through our choices. According to Maimonides, this is not just a philosophical ideal but a fundamental principle of the Torah, which holds each individual accountable for their actions.

Reflections on Free Will in a Contemporary Context

In modern society, the concept of free will is often debated. Are we truly free in a world shaped by social, economic, and psychological forces? While these factors certainly influence behavior, the Jewish tradition maintains that ultimate responsibility rests on the individual. The Torah’s teaching on free will provides a counterpoint to modern deterministic views, insisting that despite external pressures, the power to choose remains in our hands.

Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik explains that:
“The greatness of man lies in his ability to overcome external pressures and forces. Man’s nobility is found in his freedom to choose despite the many deterministic elements of life.”
(Soloveitchik, The Lonely Man of Faith, p. 73)

This echoes Maimonides’ views and highlights the relevance of free will today, in a world that often seeks to diminish personal responsibility by blaming external factors.

The Ethical Dimension of Free Will

Free will is not just about the freedom to act, but it is also about the ethical responsibility that comes with this freedom. In the Torah, individuals are not only encouraged to choose righteousness, but they are also warned of the consequences of choosing the opposite. The ethical weight of each decision we make is emphasized throughout Jewish scripture and Maimonides’ works.

In contrast to relativism, which suggests that moral choices are subjective and context-dependent, Maimonides’ framework insists that while man is free, the moral truths he must strive for are absolute. The Torah provides a fixed moral compass, guiding us in the right direction even amidst the challenges of free choice.

Rabbi Oury Cherki elaborates on this point:
“Free will in Judaism is not the freedom to invent morality, but the freedom to align oneself with the morality that has been divinely revealed.”
(Cherki, Foundations of Torah Thought, p. 92)

This distinction between subjective morality and the objective truth of the Torah is crucial in understanding the ethical framework Maimonides presents.

Quotations and Commentaries

Maimonides on Free Will:
“Free will is granted to every human being. Each person is given the choice to be righteous or wicked, and it is through this choice that we are judged and rewarded or punished.”
(Ch. 5, V. 2)


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