So we met the Rabbi at Starbucks for a coffee and conversation.
We talked about such a wide variety of topics–the Ten Commandments, the laws of Shabbat, driverless cars and smartphones, women’s minyan (prayer services), and even LGBT.
Not sure how this came up, but at one point the Rabbi turns to us and asks, “Why did G-d create the world?”
Taken a little off guard by this very big question, I blurted out, “To get to the other side!”
I thought he was going to fall off his chair, and then we all laughed.
But then we started to discuss some of the traditional answers like G-d out his infinite love created us with a spark of himself.
In very mortal terms, I guess maybe it’s not so fun to be G-d (omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent) but be alone in the universe.
By creating us, His children, he gave the gift of life, learning, and growth for us to emulate the Divine.
What about all the terrible suffering?
Perhaps just part of our tests, trials, and tribulations to ultimately grow our souls.
Still it’s a tough world.
I wonder maybe “to get to the other side”–for us to get to Heaven–isn’t such a bad answer after all (even if it comes from the chicken crossing the road joke). 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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