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Asher Ben Hana
Our esteemed mentor, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, zt"l, addresses this discrepancy in one of his many correspondences. He writes that the Midrash, in a number of places, mentions the fact that before this world was created, the Almighty was "creating worlds and destroyed them." In other words, there were early stages of creation which eventually led to the creation of our present world. Science possesses no proof that there was never a planetary cataclysm and a new creation.
But actually we do not need this idea, says Rabbi Kook, since even if it were proven that the order of creation was through the evolution of the species, this would not contradict the Torah, for the Torah's account of creation "conceals more than it reveals," and the entire episode is one of the secrets of the Torah which is not to be understood literally.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
15 - 19. Divine Providence and Prophetic Revelation
16 - 14. Contradictions between Science and Torah
17 - 15. Perceiving God
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Scientific calculations of the universe's age do not weaken our faith. To the contrary, they strengthen it. The awesomeness of God's creation grows more and more, leading to a recognition that, "Your creations are so numerous, God" (Psalms 104:24) and "How great are Your deeds" (ibid. 92:6). "Lift your eyes up to the Heavens and see who created all of these" (Isaiah 40:26). Faith is becoming more refined, more abstract than we could have ever fathomed. This is true regarding every stratum of society.
Thus, there is no contradiction between the Torah tradition which functions on one level and science which functions on another. With Adam, creation was renewed and a new world order began - a Divine manifestation of creation, intervention, and providence as described by the Torah.
All the same, despite everything that we have said here, it is entirely possible that today's scientific viewpoint will at some point in time change, and new studies will reveal that there was indeed a renewal of creation at the time indicated by the Torah. This would not be the first time that science confirms that which is written in the Torah after having held the opposite. Indeed, recent archaeological research actually confirms the text of the Torah and shows that earlier scientific assumptions were mistaken.
In summary, the sages of the Midrash teach us that there were stages of creation which predate the biblical date. It is quite possible that science will confirm the Torah tradition regarding the renewal of creation. Yet, even if it turns out that scientific conclusions do not concur with the Torah position, no threat will posed to the validity of the Torah; the Torah functions in the realm of religious faith, and as far as this realm is concerned there was indeed an intensification in Divine Providence and Revelation in the world at that time. This is what the Torah describes as the creation of our world and the first human being.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
