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how G-d created and the sciences

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Rabbi Ari Shvat

Tammuz 12, 5771
Question
As we all know, G-D CREATED THE WORLD. How did G-d create the world? By using sciences G-d created, such as physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, etc., etc, etc. G-d runs the world today by using these sciences. So why religiously, are these sciences ignored? Why aren’t they holy?
Answer
Shalom Lewis, Rav Kook points out that the mishna (Chagiga 2, 1) teaches not to reveal the secrets of creation but with few and selected individual students, so obviously, that which is written in the beginning of the Torah and learned in first grade is not meant to be taken literally and simply. The Torah is not a science book nor is it history, but it is the directions how to live a G-dly life. Rav Kook says further that if current science believes in a certain explanation of creation, that is how we are meant to think in that generation. He even goes at length to prove that the theory of evolution doesn't contradict the Torah, and even has important philosophical messages for us (for example, that it's natural to constantly improve). Just as when the Book of Kings tells us that King Solomon built the Temple, it doesn't mean that he personally laid all of the bricks, but that he began the chain of giving the orders. So too, Hashem gave the orders and arranged the scientific chain to begin. Yes, He created the world through the laws of nature which He created, and yes they should be studied, as stressed by the Vilna Gaon, "He who lacks one measure of knowledge in the sciences, lacks ten measures of Torah". Nevertheless, we must remember proportionately, that there are different levels of significance, and with all due respect, the sciences are not equal in importance to the Holy Torah (some of the science theories will eventually even be disproven). In the words of the Rambam, the Torah is queen and the sciences are like her cooks and pharmacists, her necessary assistants. With Love of Israel, Rav Ari Shvat
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