על הבריחה והמציאה כ״דOn Flight and Finding 24
א׳
1[132] Another instance is that of those well-known two whom I hold in great admiration. One is full of curiosity about the middle term between two others, and says, “Lo, the fire and the wood; where is the sheep for a whole burnt-offering?” The other replies, “God will see for Himself a sheep for a whole burnt-offering, Child”; and afterwards finds the substitute provided, for “behold a single ram held by the horns in a Sabek shrub” (Gen. 22:7, 8, 13).
ב׳
2[133] Let us see, then, what the inquirer’s difficulty is, and what the answerer declares; and in the third place what the thing found was. Well, the inquiry he makes is of this kind: “Behold, the efficient cause, the fire; behold also, the passive object, the material, the wood; where is the third term, the finished result ?” As though he should say,
ג׳
3[134] “Behold the mind, breath all warm and on fire; behold also the objects which the mind perceives, materials, as it were; where is the third term, the mind’s perception?” Or once more, “Here is sight; here is colour; where is the seeing?” and, quite generally, “Lo, here is sense-perception, the instrument for forming judgements; yes, and the objects of sense-perception, the material for it to work upon; where, then, is the act of perceiving?”
ד׳
4[135] To these inquiries the other gives the only right answer, “God will see for Himself”; for the third term is God’s special work. For it is by His taking thought for them that the mind apprehends, and sight sees, and every sense perceives.
ה׳
5As for the words “A ram is found held fast,” this is reason keeping quiet and in suspense.
ו׳
6[136] For the best offering is quietness and suspense of judgement, in matters that absolutely lack proofs. The only word we may say is this, “God will see.” To Him all things are known; He sees all things distinctly, by clearest light, even by Himself. No other word can be spoken by created beings on whom the darkness has been shed in full measure; and in darkness, safety lies in keeping still.