Predestination

Question

Is there a belief in predestination (not Calvinism) in Judaism? For example, was Joseph predestined to go Egypt? A related question is: Did God arrange all the events of Joseph life or did God just take advantage of the events that took place?

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Predestination is something that a concept that is central to Jewish thought. How much of what we do is predestined? That is a fascinating question!

    The Talmud states that everything is in the hands of the heavens except for one’s fear of the heavens. The commentaries explain that everything is predestined, but a person can “overcome” his predestination by drawing closer to God, and thereby cause things to change in a good way, things that might have otherwise not have been as good.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team