I’m always reluctant to discuss the intersection of science
and Torah. It always brings out the atheists and doubters that have an unshakable faith in science. They trust ‘their
eyes; more than their faith. I call them the ‘Flat Earthers’. When one looks out
at the horizon – what one sees is a flat earth. How dare anyone insult their
intelligence by saying that what they see with their own eyes is not the
reality? The world is obviously flat. Just look and see. But as we all know,
the world is without a doubt round. There is just too much scientific evidence
of that.
What if the scientific evidence seems to contradict the
Torah narrative of creation? The Torah says the universe was created in 6 days and
is only about 6000 years old. But scientists now have produced overwhelming evidence
that it is about 15 billion years old. Should
we continue to insist that the Torah must be taken literally despite the
massive evidence that suggests it should be taken allegorically? To the rational
mind that would be an extremely difficult path to follow. And yet the Torah
does indicate that the universe is only 6000 years old. Must we deny all that
evidence in favor of blind belief?
My answer to that is no. At least not automatically. What I
have always tried to do is find ways to reconcile the Torah with the science – without
abandoning the fundamentals of my faith.
Fist let me state unequivocally that the bottom line is Emunah. But at the same time we cannot ignore the science when it becomes overwhelming
despite what we have always believed to be the case. The world is not flat even
though it contradicts what we see. Continuing to insist that it is flat – is laughable.
There are people on
both sides of the ideological aisle that insist that their perspective trumps the
other. Scientists that are not guided by faith will discard everything
that contradicts science. Those that insist on the literal interpretation of entirety
of the Torah narrative will deny the
science no matter how clearly the science is demonstrated as fact.
In my view there is always a way to reconcile both disciplines
that allow our fundamentals to remain intact while accepting what are obvious
scientific facts.
There are however some things that are difficult to reconcile.
My own approach to that is similar to what Rav Soloveitchik once said about it. Paraphrasing: Either we do not sufficiently understand the science; or we do
not sufficiently understand the Torah. Or both.
Nonetheless the rational mind seeks answers. And to the extent that
we can we try and find them. And often succeed. Without abandoning the fundamental principles of
our faith
It is with that in mind that I completely reject an article by Rabbi Yeheskel Lebovic in the Jewish Press. He tried
to rebut Rabbi Slifkin’s allegorical interpretation of the 6 days of creation that
would indicate that universe is 15 billion years old. Which is what science
tells us is the case. He actually believes that it is heretical to believe that.
Now I have no problem with those who insist on believing
that the universe is about 6000 years old. God can do anything. If God wanted to create
the world 6000 years ago – to look 15 billion
years old, that is exactly what he did. They are entitled to their beliefs. But they are not entitled to reject a more rational approach.
If we are to believe that the world was created 6000 years ago but intentionally made to look old - that would mean that God intended to fool us. Why would
God create a universe 6000 years ago with massive evidence to show it is much
older? That is ridiculous. And yet that is what Rabbi Yeheskel
Lebovic is trying to say. Here is a pertinent excerpt:
The Torah is very clear in its description of creation: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. That is why the week throughout history has consisted of seven days and why Shabbos is celebrated on the seventh day. Some people claim these seven days are seven time periods, but how exactly are these periods distinguishable? In what meaningful sense can billions of years be said to be “seven days”?
Rabbi Lebovic then completely rejects the Rambam’s view that
certain portions of the Torah are allegorical - relying on the Ramban’s rejection
of the Rambam.
He is entitled to his views. But he is not entitled to
dismiss the Rambam and imply that relying on him is Apikursus. Further implying
that anyone who does is a heretic.
I am not going to go into details why I believe the universe
is 15 billion years old. I have already done that in the past. Suffice it to say
that the evidence is overwhelming. What I will however do is refer to what I
consider a seminal lecture delivered by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan to a gathering of Orthodox
Jewish scientists back in the 70s. In that lecture Rabbi Kaplan used sources in
the Torah, Kabbalah, the Talmud, Rishonim, and Achronim to demonstrate that the
universe is 15 billion years old. He even ridiculed those that believed it was
only 6000 years old.
This does not mean that we can allegorize the Torah any time
we believe it contradicts science. Ultimately Judaism is based on faith. Faith is
about truth, not scientifically proven fact. If our faith were to be proven scientifically
it would cease being faith. As believing Jews we find truth through our
beliefs.
What it does however
mean that we should not dismiss science that seems to contradict the Torah. And
certainly not dismiss Torah sources that corroborate science as Rabbi Lebovic tries to do.
