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I am an Italian Noahide.

HaShem is also defined in the Torah as "Elohim" who in this case expresses, as Ramban teaches, the concept of "Master of all the forces" and "the Power over all the powers". I wonder, however, if this sovereignty of God over every reality can be considered compatible with some limits regarding His omnipotence. I have seen for example that according to Ralbag it is absurd to think that HaShem could have created the universe ex nihilo, because this would be materially impossible even for the Creator: this master therefore does not seem to believe in an absolute omnipotence of HaShem. I am not referring here to the concept of divine self-limitation, which is the result of a precise will of the Great King, but precisely to the case of activities that God would not be able to carry out. It is a compatible concept with the Torah? I personally doubt that HaShem has the power to perform an act against Himself, such as creating a more powerful being than Him, or even deciding to end His existence (I speak by paradox obviously).

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  • If one disagrees with creation of the universe ex nihilo, then who created the preexisting material, out of which the world was allegedly created from, and how did that hypothetical creator create it, if not ex nihilo? Commented May 19, 2020 at 21:27
  • @IsraelReader Ralbag believed that matter was co-eternal with God, but subjected to His dominion. However, I have cited this position only as an example, in relation to my question on the possible limits to the omnipotence of the Creator.
    – Amos74
    Commented May 19, 2020 at 21:33
  • Would you be able to source that Ralbag? I'd love to see it inside.
    – Yehuda
    Commented May 19, 2020 at 21:51
  • Check out this article in Hakirah.
    – Alex
    Commented May 19, 2020 at 22:06
  • Im not sure what you mean by "absolute sense" but not being able to do non-things (like these paradox 'cases') doesn't diminish any absolute sense of omnipotence
    – Double AA
    Commented May 19, 2020 at 23:07

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