Choice and Providence
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Question
I know that Hashem has already decided what my tomorrow and the coming year will look like, so why does the power of choice exist? What can I supposedly change in what Hashem has already decreed for me?
Answer
Shalom Rav,
It is stated in the Mishnah: 'Everything is foreseen, yet the choice is given.' This means that although everything is already determined, we are given the freedom to decide, and the reward and punishment will be determined based on what we choose to do.
On a deeper level, the reward and punishment are for our choice between good and evil, even though the actions that will occur have been predetermined.
Source
Mishnah (Avot 3:15).