To
My Dear Students,
This week we read "In the beginning, G-d
created the Heavens and the earth."
This majestic declaration teaches that the universe
is not the result of an accident, but the product
of Divine intelligence, purpose, and will.
People say that this statement conflicts with
how science views creation. But the Torah
is not a science textbook. It has other
goals than to teach about science.
Science
asks how life was created;
Genesis asks why life was
created and by "Whom."
Science
is concerned with the process of creation;
Genesis is concerned with the purpose
of creation.
Science
looks for ultimate physical principles;
Genesis looks for enduring moral truths.
Science
seeks to learn more about creation;
Judaism tries to better understand the Creator.
Science
tries to harness the forces around us;
Torah tries to harness the forces within
us.
Science
teaches what is;
Genesis teaches what ought to be.
Science
describes what we can see;
Religion sees
what cannot be described.
Science
provides something valuable: information
for our minds;
Judaism provides something invaluable: inspiration
for our spirits.
With
all the science in the world, we still need faith
in G-d whenever faith in science reaches its limits.
For no graph, equation, or formula can equal the
greatness of "In the beginning, G-d."
Shabbat
Shalom,
Your
Rabbi
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