Testing Grounds

My friend and colleague, Rabbi Dov Greenberg, recently provided a testing ground for the hyped (and somewhat controversial) Google Glass.  He offered a snapshot of Google’s new eyewear at his tefillin stand at Stanford University.

The invitation to experience a new outlook was twofold: A view into the future as well as an angle into the soul. Indeed, while tinkering with a piece of plastic and metal, participants were able to test the strings of the spirit.

But, what about someone who already owned a (highly sought after, beta version of) Google Glass? To the veteran, there is no gain of discovery.

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In the parsha of Re’eh that we read this week, the Torah warns us not to fall prey to the imagination and trickery of a false prophet – even if s/he performs miracles.

You shall not heed the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of a dream; for the Lord, your G-d, is testing you, to know whether you really love the Lord, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul.

Last I checked, Jewish tradition considers G-d to be all-knowing. He knows the past as well as the future. So, why does G-d need to test us to determine whether we love Him? Doesn’t He know whether we will pass or fail the challenge?

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A similar discussion focuses on the tenth and final of G-d’s tests of His beloved servant Avraham. At the conclusion of the Binding of Isaac, the Torah states, “For now I know that you are a G-d fearing man, and you did not withhold your son, your only one, from Me.” Again, we wonder what ‘revelation’ G-d achieved by this discovery. Wasn’t He privy to the stats before they were printed? Does He not know the votes before they are tallied? And even before they are cast?

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Rashi explains that G-d’s ‘discovery’ is not what’s new to Him. Rather it’s the factual ammunition that He is now armed with.  He can now counter the claims that Avraham isn’t His true servant or that Avraham is not prepared to sacrifice on behalf of His G-d. The knowledge is not new to G-d. But it is newly available information to others.

The innovators of Google Glass may be certain of their product’s qualities. But if it has not withstood the test of public scrutiny, it remains unknown. As such, its utility and purpose remain unfulfilled.

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We all have our own share of challenges and tests from G-d. G-d knows the results before we begin the journey. By succeeding, we aren’t proving anything to G-d. Nor are we merely substantiating our own self-worth. But we are teaching the world the purpose of our existence. We are serving as a testing ground for results that stand to change the world.

Now, that’s some knowledge worth gaining!