On the Divine Wisdom: From “The Guide for the Perplexed” by Maimonides (vegetarian), Part 2 of 2

“You must not be misled by what is stated of the stars (that God put them in the firmament of the Heavens) to give light upon the Earth and to rule by day and by night. You might perhaps think that here the purpose of their creation is described. This is not the case; we are only informed of the nature of the stars, which God desired to create with such properties that they should be able to give light and rule.”

“It is different with the stars. They do not exist for our sake, that we should enjoy their good influence; for the expressions ‘to give light’ and ‘to rule’ merely describe, as we have stated above, the benefit which the creatures on Earth derive from them. I have already explained to you the character of that influence that continually causes the good to descend from one being to another. To those who receive the good flowing down upon them, it may appear as if the being existed for them alone that sends forth its goodness and kindness unto them.”

“We remain firm in our belief that the whole Universe was created in accordance with the will of God, and we do not inquire for any other cause or object. Just as we do not ask what is the purpose of God’s existence, so we do not ask what was the object of His will, which is the cause of the existence of all things with their present properties, both those that have been created and those that will be created.”

“You must not be mistaken and think that the spheres and the angels were created for our sake. Our position has already been pointed out to us, ‘Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket.’ Now compare your own essence with that of the spheres, the stars, and the Intelligences, and you will comprehend the truth and understand that man is superior to everything formed of earthly matter, but not to other beings; he is found exceedingly inferior when his existence is compared with that of the spheres, and all the more so, when compared with that of the Intelligences.”

“This must be our belief when we have a correct knowledge of our own self and comprehend the true nature of everything; we must be content and not trouble our mind with seeking a certain final cause for things that have none or have no other final cause but their own existence, which depends on the Will of God, or, if you prefer, on the Divine Wisdom.”