Reply To: Theological Conundrum (read at your own risk)

Haleivi, DaasYochid, Avram, et al:

There are two different issues under discussion here, depending on how you explain the purpose of ??? ?? ??? ???? ???. It seemed that there was some sort of consensus that there is a “relational reward” to use Avram’s terminology. My question on that is that it makes it that ??? ?? ??? ???? ??? is not in fact loftier than ?? ??? ???? ???; it’s just a different form of reward that you’re seeking.

The other way of explaining it is that (even if) there is absolutely nothing to be gained, there is an intrinsic value in doing Hashem’s will. To that I asked why.

Now as per Haleivi, the second one is not a theological issue but a philosophical issue, considering that you can ask the question in regards to anything, not just in regards to service of Hashem. The first one though, is purely a theological question because it is only relevant to service of Hashem.