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“No, you see, you are playing with my words. That is not
at all what I meant. It’s not only that I am not perfect.
That is not how I know that I don’t believe in God. See,
I don’t even aim at being perfect. I consider no moral or
religious scale when I act. This is because I am a non-believer.” “Do you think God is perfect?” He asks. I feel his inquisitive tone hitting my body and search for a vague answer. “I don’t know. I am really not sure. Since I think I don’t believe he exists, I really never thought about his character.” “OK, “ He tries once more, still as calm as before, “Do you think that people who believe in God, me for example, think God is perfect?” I do not know what to say. There are too many hypothetical assumptions in his question. This all reminded me of my uncle Jacob’s style of arguing. So many assumptions building on each other, that by the time you consider all he has said, you forget his original question. Nevertheless, I decide to answer quickly. I do not want to give the impression that I am confused. “Of course you think God is perfect.” I reply with confidence as if I don’t understand why anyone would pose a question with such an obvious answer. “You believe that he is the creator of our world. You believe that he is the judge of every Jew, and a merciful one too. If he were imperfect how could you accept him as your ultimate judge?” I feel good about my reply. If I were allowed to move, I would straighten my back and raise my head high. Herman immediately replies “Oh, no, no. You have it all wrong. God is not perfect at all. I believe in the Holy One, blessed be He, but he is often as wrong as any man, maybe even as wrong as you. Are you familiar with Sefer HaZohar?” |
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