DEUT1618 Before the impact of Greek-Arabic thought in the Middle Ages, Jewish philosophers concerned themselves little with the problem how to reconcile Freedom of Will with the conflicting idea of divine Providence and Omniscience. When this difficulty began to stir the conscience of Jewish thinkers, they were forced to come to the conclusion that one does not exclude the other. Corroboration for this they found in Sacred Writ [this verse, Jer. xviii. 7-11; Prov. v. 22; Ezek. xviii. 30] and in the cardinal belief of Reward and Punishment. What sense is there in rewarding an act which must be done, or in punishing an act performed by an automaton when constrained to do so at the pulling of strings by a hidden Power? It should be noted that Biblical reward is not material and personal but the survival of the nation under ideal conditions. These conditions were undisturbed peace, public welfare and social harmony in which all could freely participate and through which alone man could attain moral perfection. The best reward is the feeling of satisfaction experienced when something noble is done; the worst punishment is the feeling of guilt accompanying an offence against the better nature of man. (Continued at [[LEV1109]] Leviticus 26:3 If LEHRMAN 173)