Reading Room

ViewPoint

Partnership with G-d

Late last year, as part of an interview, I was asked an interesting question: Is a Noahide allowed to believe in an intermediate figure, a partner with G-d?

I answered: "According to many authorities, a Noahite is not warned about the concept of "partnership with G-d." 1 The concept of partnership is the acknowledgement of the existence of the G-d of Israel in combination with the belief in the possibility and existence of a deity (independent will) other than G-d. So long as ascribing power to a deity other than the Creator remains conceptual, it is permissible to the Children of Noah according to many authorities. But worship of this independent being is clearly idolatry. The danger of the concept of partnership is that it frees people to act in accord with nonexistent gods and opens a doorway to actual idolatry. Most recent authorities agree that Children of Noah are forbidden to believe in a partnership. 2 But even according to these, the Children of Noah are permitted to swear by the name of an idol in combination with G-d (to swear by the L-rd of Hosts and a Hindu deity, for example)." 3

However, if a Noahide were to study Tanya (the classical work of Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidism, the Alter Rebbe - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi [1745-1812 CE]) - in particular, Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah (Likutei Amarin, Part Two, called Chinuch Katan, The Education of the Child)- then the Noahide would no longer entertain the preposterous and erroneous belief of shituf, of any kind of partnership with G-d.

Quoting Rabbi Nisen Mangel in his introduction to Part Two (Sefer Likutei Amarim, Kehot Publication Society, 1981), "The twelve chapters forming the body of Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah are a profound exposition of several basic Jewish philosophical concepts. Among them are creatio ex nihilo, Divine Providence, His Essence and attributes, His immanence and transcendance, and the doctrine of Tzimtzum. The central idea of this work, the pivot around which all other concepts revolve is the principle of Yichud HaShem, Divine Unity… The essential meaning of the doctrine of Divine Unity is the belief in absolute monotheism, i.e., there is but one G-d, with none other besides Him. It negates polytheism, the worship of many gods, and paganism, the deification of any finite thing or being or natural force; it excludes dualism, the assumption of two rival powers of good and evil, and pantheism, which equates G-d and nature… The Chassidic interpretation of Unity, based on the Zoharic concepts of "Lower Level Unity" and "Higher Level Unity," gives it a more profound meaning. Rabbi Schneur Zalman explains that Divine Unity does not only exclude the existence of other ruling powers besides the One G-d or of any plurality in Him, but it precludes any existence at all apart from Him."

2. Nodah B'Yehudah, volume 2, Yoreh Deah, number 148.

3. The Path of the Righteous Gentile, Chaim Clorfene and Yakov Rogalsky, Targum Press, 1987. (chapter 5, Idolatry, Part One, 5)

What's your opinion? Write us and share your thoughts with us... the preceeding link will automatically include the words "July 2001 ViewPoint Opinion" in the subject line of your email.

Back to the Reading Room