Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Thu Aug 10, 2023 4:01 pm
Quote so. But allegories are marked as such by their structure. They look quite different from factual claims...unless you think Torah also failed to do that job adequately, and allowed confusion on that where none should exist.
The Jews for forty years walked a path through the desert that could be covered in three days. Why? To get rid of "bad" habits, so that a new generation is born that is not accustomed to slavery and idolatry.
But in those days, people used to believe in "miracles" - violations of the laws of nature.
Forty years were not enough to get rid of this habit, and until now many people are enslaved by this habit.
Therefore, the form of presentation was important, which could be accepted by the erring, and understand the correct understanding of the text by true philosophers.
***Was there an Abraham who was blessed by God, or is he just an allegory?***
The historicity of Abraham can be dealt with by historical science,
but for the formation of a true worldview, it does not matter how historical Abraham was.
***Is Israel actually chosen people, or is that just allegory?***
Are you familiar with "The Tale of the Naked King"?
The boy, there, who did not succumb to self-deception - was the chosen one.
Who chose him?
***Was there an actual "Ten Sayings" or "Ten Commandments," or was that an allegory?***
What is said in the Ten Commandments is understandable to a person who follows his conscience. Therefore, the elect, - who did not succumb to self-deception and accepted these commandments.
***Is Jerusalem special, relative to any other locale...or is that just an allegory?***
The Torah comes from Jerusalem, literally and figuratively.
***Is HaShem God, or do you regard Him as a metaphor for something else,***
God for me, speaking in a philosophical language, is the One regularity of the World, to which the World obeys.