This week’s parsha, Parshat Ekev, poses several theologically difficult questions, and in the process of understanding the challenges they pose, we are able to attain a more profound understanding of the relationship between God and humanity.
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This idea that God can change His mind raises a serious theological question. When human beings “change” their minds, they are fundamentally admitting that the first decision had been incorrect — or, at the very least, not perfect — and therefore needed to be revised. But if God is all-knowing and just, then every decision He makes is — by definition — the correct, fair, right decision. How can Moses, or any other human being, for that matter, pray to change God’s mind — and succeed?!