How Can We Be Sure God Exists? A Rational Jewish Perspective

Sagiv asked: "Hello. Even if the conclusion that a Creator exists is very logical, and even if everything points to the creation of the world and to life having meaning — how can we actually be sure of anything? What if I’m wrong? Thanks for addressing this."

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The conclusion about the existence of a Creator has been present in the world for over 4,000 years and shows no sign of fading. The more science advances, the more it uncovers the vast complexity of creation. This logic is eternal, just like human existence. It is no more possible for science to “discover” that there is no God after such immense complexity has already been observed, than it is for science to discover that the sun doesn’t exist after it has already been seen. To deny creation, one would need to deny all of modern knowledge, all complexity, and all evidence pointing to an extremely high intelligence. That is simply impossible in reality.

A rational person must live according to the knowledge available to him. The fact is that the world is designed, and the world was created. The logical conclusion is that there is a Creator. The history of the Jewish people is itself evidence of divine revelation. These are facts, and even if one could raise doubts, we are obligated to stick to facts and believe in them. That is what makes us rational beings.

If we have no reason to doubt our knowledge, then we don’t cast doubt on it. Do you doubt that your parents are really your parents because there is a technical possibility you may have been adopted? Of course not. Why doubt the existence of a Creator, when all the facts prove that there is One?

The very fact that you are able to conclude anything about divinity beyond the material is itself proof of the divine spark placed within you. It shows your importance in God’s eyes, who gave you the capacity to connect to Him. You can infer His existence, because He Himself granted you that ability.

Straightforward logic provides real confidence in life — something that cannot be said about the atheist who denies God’s existence. Imagine an atheist arriving in the World to Come, and God asks: “Was the world I created not complex enough for you to see My existence? The greatest scientists are considered geniuses just for grasping a tiny part of My wisdom, and yet you thought My entire creation was the product of blind coincidence? I gave you common sense — why didn’t you use it? Why did you deny your own reason?”

The atheist would have no answer. All the world’s philosophies and cleverness cannot stand against such simple, clear logic.

Of course, seeing is not the same as hearing. You should therefore seek a personal, religious experience to give you emotional certainty. Even if you read every study in the world about how sport benefits health, until you exercise yourself, you won’t know how much energy and vitality it brings. Torah leads you to truth, and mitzvot and prayer bring you close to God, allowing you to experience His providence personally.

The Torah begins with the mind, but then calls you to connect with the heart: “Know today and bring it to your heart that the Lord is God” (Devarim 30:39).

Once you’ve established with your mind that the Torah is true, strengthen yourself in faith of the heart. Invest more in prayer to God, speak to Him in your own words, fulfill mitzvot with love, and read books of ethical teachings. In this way, you’ll deepen your emotional connection to the truth and experience God through your soul.