The Choice is Ours: Freedom of Will and the Paradox

G-d gave us freedom of choice!  G-d knows the outcome of all; then, how do we have freedom of choice? What a paradox!

A parable- a father takes his child to a banquet of appetizers, soup, main course and dessert. There are six choices for each course. The father knows, in all likelihood, that which the child will choose, knowing the child’s likes and dislikes. Nevertheless, that does not diminish the child’s freedom of choice.

Whereas, the father, in all likelihood, knows that which the child will choose; that may not be a certainty. With G-d, it is different, G-d is within the past, present and future, in every dimension and beyond all dimensions.

G-d is the knower and the knowledge. Free choice is ours; yet, G-d knows the outcome; although, we do not know! That does not limit our free choice. It depends on each one of us, how we choose to use free choice. The choice is ours!

G-d did not make us puppets on a string.

Thoughts, words and deeds are determined by us.

We may not be first to pose an act;

Yet, how we will react is decided by us.

Numerous scenarios are possible.

All in our grasp, to play out, which to choose?

What we choose to think, say and do, releases

Or imprisons us, in our net of choices, lost,

From opportunities, which would transform

Our history and of others, and more…

Yet, G-d may redeem us from error, if…

We change course by the choice, we then do choose.