Free Will (Bachira) or Divine Play (Lila)? Jewish and Hindu Creation Stories and their Meanings

Nathan Katz

School of International and Public Affairs, Florida International University, USA

The eternal question - "Why did G-d Create a World?" - has radically different answers in Hindu and Jewish creation stories. For Jews, the world is very serious and our free will is essential for its fulfillment. For Hindus, the world is not altogether rel and is G-d`s way of amuzing him/herself. Sources include Bereshit, Zohar, Sepher Yetzirah for Jewish stories and Bhagavat Purana, Shiva Purana for Hindu stories.