"The wisdom tradition of ancient Israel... was both awed by the wonders of nature and concerned with human behavior, human accomplishment, and human misfortune.... Although the sages maintained that certain natural laws could be perceived and fol-lowed, they never taught that life would be completely understood or controlled. In fact, they believed that the dimension of wisdom most desired, the wisdom that alone explains the universe and the inner workings of life, is beyond human reach and resides with God alone."