You shall not try [i.e. test] the Lord, your God, as you tried Him in Massah. - Deuteronomy 6:16 Rashi: In Massah: When they went out of Egypt, when they tested Him concerning water, as it is said [that they asked], “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7) [Hence “Massah” means test.]

And for those who may have forgotten, that incident in Exodus 17 is when the Jews are wandering the desert and end up someplace with no water and so complain that they’re starving. Then Moses hits the magic rock which spits out water. Then the nation of Amalek attacked and god made us promise to commit genocide against them. {It’s also worth mentioning that amalek is considered the embodiment of “doubt” and so it’s not a coincidence, according to judaism, that amalek attacked at that moment.}

As one of the mitzvos {commandments}, it is listed in the Rambam’s {Maimonides} list as #64, and Chabad.org summarizes it as follows {x}: “This prohibition warns us against trying to test to see if the promises or warnings of HaShem will come true.” {Others have understood it as “not testing a prophet ‘too much’,” like in the sefer hachinuch, which is also fucked up and would still share most of the points in this post.}

So, in short, God gets upset when the people complain that they’re starving and begin to ask, “WTF?! If god’s really running the show, then why are we starving?!” Which, if you ask me, is a very reasonable question. Later on god says, “oh, and remember that time you doubted me and asked that I actually do something to help if I really exist - yeah, don’t do that. Just take it on faith that I really do exist and that I’ll really do what I say I will.”

Now, as you probably guessed, I don’t think the exodus story is really true. Certainly not the chapter about the magic rock. But the important point is what message this sends to believers: 'Don’t ask questions. Don’t doubt. Don’t ask for proof. Or help - even in desperate moments. Just believe. Because if you don’t, you’ll be pissing off god… and you might just get an army to fight with.’

The equating of Amalek with Doubt {they even have the same numerical equivalence}, especially in this chapter, is such a horrifyingly perfect indoctrination tactic, an excellent way to teach people that “doubt” and “doubting” is the enemy - and an enemy which perpetually tries to destroy the Jewish people, an enemy worthy of genocide. A pretty fucked up message for a kid to hear - especially a kid who may have his doubts!

But, in short, the main thing about this verse which captures me is how it dismisses the option for finding out if god is real. It’s just another convenient clause that keeps the religion safe from scrutiny and teaches adherents not to question or ask for good evidence.

Oh, and the next verse, Deut 6:17: “Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and His testimonies, and His statutes, which He hath commanded thee.” Don’t question - just follow. And gotta love the hypocrisy, considering how common it is for god to test his followers, like adam & eve, abraham & isaac, or Job.

{See also Ex. 15:25~ and 16:4} It should be noted that Judaism teaches one exception: Tithing. It is taught that if you tithe, you will become rich. {Ta'anit 9a}. So, let’s do some tests bc I’ve been to very religious communities, and it doesn’t look like anyone’s doing all that great as a result of tithing. {See here}

P.s. Or as Keanu realized…:

(Source: jewishatheist)