Random questions.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

...that only good things have divine providence?

This
For bad things we don't know why it happens.

[Work-for-ur-muny]

No! No! No! Oy, you've been drinking chalav akum without an eiruv again, haven't you?

FTFY 

[ChaimMoskowitz]

No! No! No! Oy, you've been drinking chalav akum again, haven't you?

I wish. Does Judaism teach we have free will but G-d knows what we will choose?

[mmgfarb]

This
For bad things we don't know why it happens.

I'm not sure where you got that from here but I'm surprised that people let you think that. We believe that everything that happens in the Universe is actively God's doing, whether we, as humans, see it as good or bad is irrelevant. Of course, it's a lot easier to thank God for doing the good things than it is to thank Him for the bad, that's one of the struggles we have and have to work on our entire lives.

[Work-for-ur-muny]

I wish. Does Judaism teach we have free will but G-d knows what we will choose?

FAIR WARNING: You are going down a rabbit hole with that question. It's a hotly discussed topic in Judaism.

Paging @ExGingi , he belongs in such a discussion. (and probably @aygart too.)

[ExGingi]

FAIR WARNING: You are going down a rabbit hole with that question. It's a hotly discussed topic in Judaism.

Paging @ExGingi , he belongs in such a discussion.

Sorry. Too much vodka consumed this evening. Can’t chime in on philosophical discussions. Try me in a week.

[aygart]

FAIR WARNING: You are going down a rabbit hole with that question. It's a hotly discussed topic in Judaism.

Paging @ExGingi , he belongs in such a discussion. (and probably @aygart too.)

Nope

[Work-for-ur-muny]

Sorry. Too much vodka consumed this evening. Can’t chime in on philosophical discussions. Try me in a week.

Are you that drunk?? 

[ChaimMoskowitz]

I'm not sure where you got that from here but I'm surprised that people let you think that. We believe that everything that happens in the Universe is actively God's doing, whether we, as humans, see it as good or bad is irrelevant. Of course, it's a lot easier to thank God for doing the good things than it is to thank Him for the bad, that's one of the struggles we have and have to work on our entire lives.

It was about the plane crash over Shabbat that a Jew decided not to fly. Some claimed that was G-d's hand that he was saved. You can guess what the next question was. The answer over and over was we don't know the answer.

[ExGingi]

Are you that drunk?? 

No. But no reason to think we can’t continue celebrating for a week. After all this coming Shabbos is 31st anniversary of Hey Teves

[ChaimMoskowitz]

FAIR WARNING: You are going down a rabbit hole with that question. It's a hotly discussed topic in Judaism.

Paging @ExGingi , he belongs in such a discussion. (and probably @aygart too.)

So basically everyone does not agree?

[mmgfarb]

It was about the plane crash over Shabbat that a Jew decided not to fly. Some claimed that was G-d's hand that he was saved. You can guess what the next question was. The answer over and over was we don't know the answer.

We don't know why He does what He does but that doesn't stop us from believing that He was the one who did it.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Nope

How about a quick yes or no answer? 

[Work-for-ur-muny]

So basically everyone does not agree?

Key word:

FAIR WARNING: You are going down a rabbit hole with that question. It's a hotly discussed topic in Judaism.

Not necessarily disagreement, as much as various ways of explaining how exactly it works and how it is possible.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Not necessarily disagreement, as much as various ways of explaining how exactly it works and how it is possible.

Not looking for an explanation or how it is possible. Just want to know if that is what Judaism teaches.

[aygart]

How about a quick yes or no answer? 

I will answer with a story. My great uncle used to own a hotel. One day an employee of his was held up and stabbed. While the hospital was treating the wound they discovered a tumor and began treating it. Everyone was saying how it was divine intervention. Eventually this employee died from the cancer. My father's Rosh Yeshiva said to him that the same intervention which made him find the rumor also made him die from it.

What you remember from the plane crash was a discussion of knowing why. I have written many times that while we cannot fathom G-d's ways we most definitely should use these stories to inspire us to become better people. To say he may have been saved for this reason or he may have been punished for that reason and therefore I should improve myself is entirely appropriate and warranted.

[aygart]

How about a quick yes or no answer? 

Realized I answered the wrong write-in. That one is way too complicated for a simple yes or no. Gotta leave at sort of.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

I will answer with a story. My great uncle used to own a hotel. One day an employee of his was held up and stabbed. While the hospital was treating the wound they discovered a tumor and began treating it. Everyone was saying how it was divine intervention. Eventually this employee died from the cancer. My father's Rosh Yeshiva said to him that the same intervention which made him find the rumor also made him die from it.

What you remember from the plane crash was a discussion of knowing why. I have written many times that while we cannot fathom G-d's ways we most definitely should use these stories to inspire us to become better people. To say he may have been saved for this reason or he may have been punished for that reason and therefore I should improve myself is entirely appropriate and warranted.

Realized I answered the wrong write-in. That one is way too complicated for a simple yes or no. Gotta leave at sort of.

Thank you. With a "sort of" I have to take that as no to 100% free will. I am not trying to pin you down or argue.

[aygart]

Thank you. With a "sort of" I have to take that as no to 100% free will. I am not trying to pin you down or argue.

Not getting into that now

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Not getting into that now

Would this be accurate?
Jewish philosophy stresses that free will is a product of the intrinsic human soul, using the word neshama (from the Hebrew root n.sh.m. or .נ.ש.מ meaning "breath"), but the ability to make a free choice is through Yechida (from Hebrew word "yachid", יחיד, singular), the part of the soul that is united with God,[citation needed] the only being that is not hindered by or dependent on cause and effect (thus, freedom of will does not belong to the realm of the physical reality, and inability of natural philosophy to account for it is expected).