Rabbi Haim Jachter is one of the writers in your newspaper who I always turn to. His articles are both scholarly and quite relevant. In the March 30, 2023 issue, Rabbi Jachter turns his attention to what is known as Pascal’s Wager (“We Do Not Subject Hashem to a Performance Appraisal”). Rabbi Jachter does not seem to find a role for Pascal’s Wager in the world of Orthodox thought. The rabbi’s point is well-taken but not universally held in the Orthodox world.

For readers who wish more information on this discussion, you may turn to an article by Rabbi Gil Student in a February 2014 issue of Torah Musings entitled “Atheists and Mitzvos.” Furthermore, I was present on two occasions at the Bruriah High School, when an outreach professional who is a musmach of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath specifically incorporated Pascal’s Wager (though not citing it by name) as part of his exhortation to the Orthodox Bruriah students to remain firm in their observance. This variant view is significant, but in no way takes away from the cogency of Rabbi Jachter’s fine article.

Mazel tov and continued success to The Jewish Link and its fine staff.