What Is G-d?

​   by Reb Gutman Locks   

     

What Is G-d?

 

Kelly asks:

     I was asked a multiple part question: "Who, what, and where is G-d?" I was thinking this is pretty simple. Who is G-d? He is the G-d of Abraham, Yitzhak, and Yaakov. Where is G-d? Everywhere. To say otherwise would be to place limits on G-d. However, when it came to the question, "What is G-d," I was at loss for words. I know what G-d is not, but what exactly is G-d? Is He simply everything that He is not, or is there a more precise answer to this question?

 

Gutman's response:

     We cannot say what G-d is because G-d is not a created object. But we can describe some of His attributes.

For instance G-d is: [i]

Creator

Infinite

One

Only

All

Eternal

Existence

Holy

Truth

Almighty

Omnipresent

Peace

King

Nourisher

Sustainer

Judge

The Goal

The Place

Before (anything was created)

After (everything will be over)

 

     Also, since we are commanded to emulate Hashem we have to know what He is like. For instance, Hashem is:

Kind

Loving

Forgiving

Compassionate

Patient

Merciful

Generous

Faithful

Charitable

Jealous (i.e. will not tolerate idolatry)

 

---

[i] In no way is this intended to be a complete list