Is “One” a Number?

The Echoes of Eden Project

To a large extent, the Book of Devarim is a polemic against idolatry. Moshe instructs, cajoles, and attempts to inspire the people to follow one God. In the portion of VaEtchanan especially, there is a positive declaration, which is often described as the credo of Judaism - and monotheism: “Hear o Israel: God is our Lord, God is One.” On the other hand, in this same parasha we find a negative formulation of monotheism: “…for God is the Lord and there is no other aside from Him.”

Both statements seem to teach the same idea: monotheism, belief in one God. There are, however, some nuances that should not go unexamined. Rabbi Soloveitchik insisted that the translation of the word ehad, which is usually rendered “one”, should in this case be understood as “unique”. The distinction is not simply a question of mathematics; it is not that we differ from others in that we limit the number of our deities. This concise statement of our faith does not simply compare Judaism’s belief in “only” one God with the dualism or polytheism of other belief systems. According to this view, the declaration, “Hear o Israel, God is our Lord, God is unique,” has implications for the nature of that One God: The Deity is completely different, unquantifiable; God alone is sui generis, singular and unparalleled. This is our God: The One who creates and sustains the universe is not simply quantitatively different from polytheistic deities, but qualitatively different as well.

By definition, to create the universe means to exist outside of creation. This universe and all that it contains were created; not so the Being that created it all. The Creator transcends time, space and matter, and is not subject to any of the laws of physics.

This basic, irrefutable principle of Judaism leads to the second statement, “There is no other aside from Him.” At first glance, these two statements appear to teach the same idea, albeit in inverse formulations: there is but one God. All other “forces” or powers are not merely impotent, they are nonexistent. However, the kabbalists delved deeper into the significance of this seemingly redundant declaration. They understand this statement, or perhaps more accurately translate it, as “There is nothing other than Him.” Their insight may be expressed as a mathematical challenge: How is the creation of a finite universe possible, when the starting point is an infinite God? Simply put, adding a finite number to an infinite one will always yield infinity. One cannot add to infinity; the sum total always remains infinite. How, then, is our existence possible alongside an Infinite God?

The statement that there is no other aside from God is actually a profound mathematical, philosophical and existential statement: There is nothing outside of God. Nothing else truly exists. Reality is God; God is the only reality. While we may “see” many false gods, sense and experience many illusionary realities, there is in fact only one reality – the infinite God who cleared away a small corner of His infinite existence in order to allow our finite universe to coexist. Everything that exists within the finite universe does so at the will of the Infinite God. Should He cease to allow this to be so, our finite universe would be subsumed into God’s infinite reality.

The Jewish formulation is not that every aspect of creation is God, rather that God sustains every aspect of creation, allowing its coexistence with infinity. We can, indeed, perceive God in all of creation, but we, unlike the pantheist and polytheist, understand that what we are in fact perceiving is an expression of God’s will, and not some other life force.

For the believer, the existence beyond our own - that existence in which God does not limit Himself for our benefit - is the place of reality. It is infinite and unchanging; it is eternal and permanent. Our finite, fleeting existence is a mere echo of that reality. However, we have been given certain tools that allow us to access that reality: Torah study allows us to observe our own existence from the perspective of the Infinite. Prayer allows man to approach and speak to God, and forms the second side of the dialogue – for when we learn Torah, God speaks to man. Observance of the commandments allows us to develop our relationship with God and to connect with reality. Leading a life of holiness, individually and as a community, allows us to become a part of that other, infinite existence that we call eternity.

When man was first created and placed in Eden, the sense and spirit of the infinite which hovered in the Garden was more immediate and accessible. Our quest, ever since then, has been to seek the road back to Eden and to that experience of the Omnipresent God. Man’s search for God is the search for reality; nothing in our physical universe is as real as the relationship with God.

When we say shema we have in mind that God is, was, and will be; God is infinite. Saying the shema connects us with infinity. When we declare “ein od milvado” - there is none/nothing other than God – we recognize that God is reality. God allows us, despite our limitations and shortcomings, to coexist with His infinite and perfect existence. Only when we emulate and imitate this willingness to coexist with others in an imperfect world do we become closer to God. This is how we can bring a touch of infinity into our lives. This is how we “get real.”

For a more in-depth analysis see http://arikahn.blogspot.co.il/2013/07/essays-and-audio-on-vetchanan.html