Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

The Rambam in Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah says God has no joy or sadness. If so, why do we wait for moshiach? For G-d's glory? G-d does not need anything from us. How are we supposed to have intent to give nachas to G-d when he doesn't even care?

share|improve this question
3  
This question could be extended to doing anything for Hashem. How does it benefit Him in anyway and why does He care? As it says in Iyov: אם חטאת מה תפעל בו ורבו פשעיך מה תעשה לו, אם צדקת מה תתן לו או מה מידך יקח – Michoel Sep 10 '12 at 12:25

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote

This excellent article by Rabbi Aron Moss explains why G-d created the world if He is perfect and lacks nothing. The crunch of it is that G-d does not need us, but he want us. The only thing G-d did not have before creating the world was a relationship with someone else (because there was nothing else but Him). Moshiach is the epitome of our relationship with G-d.

For further reading I would recommend this lengthier article by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman "What is the Purpose of Existence?", and this collection of articles on the topic of G-d's purpose in creating the world.

share|improve this answer
Are you saying God was lacking in some way? – Double AA♦ Sep 10 '12 at 16:32
@DoubleAA Absolutely not. – Michoel Sep 10 '12 at 20:55
Then why does He want something? – Double AA♦ Sep 10 '12 at 22:46
@DoubleAA This is a huge discussion in hashkafa/chassidus. (It should be, after all it's the core of our existence). On one foot, when someone wants something, that supersedes logic and thus defies explanation, but I would recommend reading the articles I edited into my answer for a more comprehensive explanation. – Michoel Sep 11 '12 at 0:02
I don't see any reference to Moshiach in that article. Btw, if logic doesn't apply, then couldn't God have had an interpersonal relationship even before creating other people? – Double AA♦ Apr 10 at 4:50
show 1 more comment

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.