80.23 Need for Unified Formulation (pps.55-56)

By definition, a postmodern Jewish theodicy must not operate in a vacuum. It should, furthermore, not begin in 1939 or with Abraham in 1900 B.C.E. It should attempt to start in the beginning of the beginning-as far as we can comprehend “beginning.”¹⁹⁶ It must, moreover, be alert to the consistency level of its doctrinal flow, from creation through the highs and lows of Jewish experience, through the ultimate goals of man.
Halachic man is entitled to a comprehensive, palatable, unified philosophy of Judaism. The purpose of Jewish philosophy is not to pinpoint the exact parameters of God’s attributes, but rather to develop a cogent, unified philosophy. A palatable solution to the basic problems we address, that pushes Jewish doctrine to its outer limits, is preferable to a philosophy of Judaism that is safely tucked within the boundaries of commonwisdom Jewish doctrine, but which cannot adequately deal with major issues.

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For purposes of the following discussion, the physical aspect of the cosmos will be called the universe. The term i refers to all aspects, including the state of out-of-time preexistence “preceding” creation.

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¹⁹⁶ See Kellner’s introduction to Abravanel, Principles of Faith, p. 20. “Abravanel . . . also notes that, if he has to choose principles for the Jewish faith, he would put forward only one, creation.”

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