I heard my Rabbi say that G-d’s power is limited in that he cannot make something that has the complete characteristics of both a square and a circle. In other words, G-d can’t reconcile two contradictory concepts …
The way I look at this, neither you nor your Rabbi is necessarily wrong – understanding the issues depends, though, on your use of words. Let’s look at the more common version of this question: could G-d make a rock so heavy that even He couldn’t lift it? I think that that question is philosophically false because measurements like weight and strength are only relevant to finite, physical things. But G-d, who is infinite, isn’t just stronger than us, He’s in a different realm where the laws governing energy and matter don’t exist. In other words, in His realm, there’s nothing heavy (i.e., whose movement is restricted by gravity) and there’s nothing strong (i.e., which is able to exert force against gravity). The question doesn’t start.
Now, in way, I would say that your question is even weaker than that: while there’s no denying that energy and matter are measurable realities, abstract geometric forms are not. Circles and squares exist within a completely theoretical construct and are neither bound nor defined by physical laws (perhaps they and their mathematical rules are not even “real” but are the brilliant and useful products of the human mind). So let’s rephrase your question: “Could G-d, who isn’t even restricted by physical laws (because He’s infinite), play around with two abstract forms whose properties might not even exist?” What exactly is there for G-d to do?
“If only I could find an example of something in this universe that is contradictory” BAM! It was right in front of me: the Torah. The Torah contains infinite knowledge, yet, is physical (finite.) If G-d can make something that is both infinite and finite, then He could make a circle/square.
Even before we discuss your Rabbi’s point about a finite Torah, I’m not sure that your example is accurate: even if the Torah does contain infinite knowledge, in which way is it “physical (finite)”? The parchment of a Torah scroll might be physical, but that’s just a symbol (or, in R’ Samson Rafael Hirsch’s terms, brief notes) representing the whole thing, which, in the words of the Midrash, is made up of “letters flying in air.”
On the issue of the Torah being finite I’d rather not discuss until I’ve had some time to think about…I hope to get back to you sometime soon.
I have to say that I’m impressed with your ability to write well and clearly (even under the pressure of desperation) and that, if you regularly put even half the passion you have for this issue into your study of the Talmud, I fully expect to hear really big things from you in the future!
Rabbi Boruch Clinton