It is frequently claimed that the reason for the current Haster Panim (lack of G-d's overt presence in the physical world) is that it is necessary for our free choice. In other words, if G-d's presence is obvious, the Torah keeping is also automatic.
However, the Torah describes many occasions when people sinned freely even after having personal experiences with G-d, proving exactly the opposite:
- Adam sinned, Kain also killed a man while being born in Eden
- the Israelites sinned with the Golden calf after perceiving G-d in Matan Torah
- Moses sinned by hitting the rock
- Yona ran away from G-d's commandment
So does G-d's overt presence invalidate one's free choice or not?
