The following is from
Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch on Aggadita III [
www.stevens.edu]
(Translation as it first appeared in Light Magazine)
I admit unashamedly that I never made an effort to get to the
roots of these matters just as I never found myself curious to
inquire about the nature of olom ha-bo, the world after the resurrection
of the dead, and related matters. For the reality of
these matters as of those is hidden from human vision and it
is impossible to know them with absolute clarity. Whatever is
said about them is no more than a guess - however close -
at what may be the truth; and there is no obligation upon Jews
to know these and related matters. Thank G-d they are totally
unnecessary. There is nothing to be gained by knowing them
in terms of fulfilling one's purpose on earth through observing
Torah and mitzvos and performing them, just as one lacks
nothing if he does not know these guesses and does not occupy
himself with investigating them.
What difference does it make if on the topic of magical and
related acts the truth is as Rambam says or as Ramban says?
In either case - whether they are nonsense or real- we must
stay away from these matters, for in either case G-d made them
repugnant to us; he who guards his soul will keep his distance
from them so as not to defile himself with what G-d considers
repugnant.
Though we find in the statements of Chazal instances that
appear to be examples of wizardry, sorcery, astrology, and
magic, it is they with their breadth of understanding who knew
how to make razor-sharp distinctions between the permitted
and the forbidden which seem so similar. But we - blind as
bats in sunlight and likely to err in matters as clear as day -
for us it is far better to stay completely away from these murky
matters, just as we are obligated regarding all other prohibitions
to keep away from what is repugnant and from anything
akin to it.
"For me with my limited intelligence"
About little people like ourselves it was said, 16 "He who walks
in innocence walks securely," and17 "HaShem guards dullards."
Chazal declared about some of these matters,18 "Whoever
takes them seriously is treated as if they were serious."
Consequently it is better for us not to take them as real and to
draw support from the verse/9 "Be perfectly dependent on
HaShem, your G-d," and from20 "There is no power other than
Him."
Similarly, regarding such lofty matters as olom ha-bo, the
world after the resurrection of the dead, and similar topics, it
is enough that we believe wholeheartedly in the words of Scripture,
21 "You will not leave my soul in purgatory" and22 "Even
my flesh will repose securely" without inquiring into the nature
of matters hidden from us that no eye has seen. For me with
my limited intelligence all these things are included by the principle,
23 "Do not inquire about what is beyond you; study what
you are permitted to." The Holy One did not make His covenant
about hidden matters, but about what He revealed to us
to heed and to perform. He assured us that fulfilling His Torah
does not require knowledge of things in the heavens and in the
seas that are beyond us, but solely that which is within the
power of our minds and mouths.24
16 Mishley 10:9.
17 Tehilim 116:6.
18 Talmud Bavli, Pesochim 110a.
19 Devorim 18:13.
20 Devorim 4:35.
21 Tehilim 16~10.
22 Tehilim 16:9.
23 Talmud Bavli, Chagigah 13a.
24 Devorim 30:12-14.
