We often hear the saying, "You can't argue with faith." The meaning of this statement is that faith is supposedly an irrational matter, and therefore cannot be discussed logically, just as taste and smell cannot be argued about.
This statement is fundamentally true, but not as things may seem at a superficial glance.
Because this can be interpreted in the sense that belief is an arbitrary, perhaps imaginary, assertion that is not based on any stable foundation. Like a person who 'believes' that beings from distant stars want to abduct him. It is impossible to argue with him, because one cannot argue with imaginations.
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The source of power
Belief in the Creator of the world is located in a completely different place. Man feels the presence of the Creator with all his heart. It is clear to him, in his deep inner feeling, that there is a Creator and Leader of the world; there is someone who listens to prayers and requests; there is someone who watches over us and directs our steps.
Does this belief stem from logic? Not necessarily. It comes from a place above reason and logic.
When a child calls out 'mother' - is his connection to his mother based on logic? Does he have proof that this is indeed his mother? Absolutely not. He has never been required to seek proof of this. It is certainly possible that if someone comes and whispers in his ear that this woman is not really his mother, his natural feeling will be somewhat shaken, and he will seek support for this in documents and testimonies, and the like. But the natural and simple connection of a child to his mother is not based on logic.
This does not reflect any weakness; on the contrary, it is the source of the strength of the natural bond between a child and his parents. Reason is only one tool in the toolbox at our disposal. Faith is stronger than reason, and it creates an even more powerful connection.
Faith is inherent in our very being. See how natural faith is in children. This is not because they are young and do not yet have knowledge and understanding, but on the contrary - reason has not yet confused them. Like that child, before they were confused and instilled with doubts about the identity of their mother. Thus does man naturally feel the Creator, as if reaching out to Him, seeking refuge in His shadow. Only then do questions arise and answers are needed.
But as with the child's recognition of his mother, this recognition is not contrary to reason. If necessary, it can be confirmed with appropriate evidence. Thus, belief in the Creator of the world can be supported by reason. Because honest and logical thinking leads to the inevitable conclusion that there is a Creator of the world.
A supra-intellectual constitution
A person who was not raised in the faith, or who is immersed in questions to which he has not found answers, may come to doubts and even to the denial of faith.
In such a case, a conflict will arise between the inner belief within one's soul and one's intellectual awareness. Therefore, it is important to back up one's belief with appropriate intellectual foundation. To prevent a conflict between belief and logic, one must learn and understand with one's intellect what one feels with the belief in one's heart.
This combination is expressed in the Parshat Para called Shabbat - "This is the law of the Torah." The recognition that the commandments of God are a supra-intellectual law is the basis for everything, and in doing so we are required to learn and understand, know and internalize.
