Question:
I feel that I cannot observe a religion if I am not certain that it is true. Is there a proof that could give me a 100% certainty that G-d exists and gave the Torah to the Jewish people?
Answer:
Imagine you could do a blood test to determine who your soulmate is. You would
go to a laboratory with a prospective partner and give blood samples, and half
an hour later they would tell you yes or no. Sounds amazing? But think about it:
Is that an ideal way to start a relationship? How romantic would it be to say,
"Listen, the blood test came out positive, so we may as well get engaged"?
The truth is we wouldn't appreciate a laboratory-tested soulmate. What makes
a relationship meaningful is that it is a choice coming from within. If we based
a commitment on external evidence such as a blood test, we would indeed have
certainty, but the sense of freedom would be lost. Freedom is an essential
ingredient of true love--certainty is not.
That's why proving G-d is not helpful. G-d wants us to enter into a
relationship with Him by choice, not by force. He created us as free beings who
can deny Him if we want. There is no outside force or argument or proof that
compels us to serve G-d. For that reason, when we do serve Him, it is by choice,
it is coming from us, and that is the basis for a real relationship.
There are many logical proofs of G-d's existence and the truth of Torah. But
most people are only ready to appreciate these proofs after they have already
established a relationship with G-d, just as most people only recognize their
soulmate as such after they have already committed to the relationship.
If you wait to know for sure that you have found your soulmate you may forever remain single. And if you wait for proof of G-d's truth you may forever live in a lonely universe. Embrace uncertainty and open yourself up to a real relationship. When you make that choice, you will find proof of G-d within your own soul.
