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Rav Kook comments on evolution

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Kahane-Was-Right BT:
Rav Avraham Yitzhak HaKohen Kook (1865-1935) ZT"L, the founder of the Merkaz HaRav religious zionist flagship yeshiva in Israel, first chief rabbi of the Palestine Mandate and probably the greatest Posek and greatest thinker of his generation gave the following thoughts about evolution within his writings:

"The theory of evolution (hitpattehut) is increasingly conquering the world at this time, and, more so than all other philosophical theories, conforms to the kabbalistic secrets of the world. Evolution, which proceeds on a path of ascendancy, provides an optimistic foundation for the world. How is it possible to despair at a time when we see that everything evolves and ascends? When we penetrate the inner meaning of ascending evolution, we find in it the divine element shining with absolute brilliance. It is precisely the Ein Sof in actu which manages to bring to realization that which is Ein Sof in potentia." (Kook, Orot Hakodesh II:537)

"Even if it were clear to us that the order of creation was through the evolution of the species, there would still be no contradiction. We calculate time according to the literal sense of the biblical verses, which is far more relevant to us than is ancient history .... The Torah obviously obscures the account of creation and speaks in allusions and parables. Everyone knows that the account of creation is part of the secrets of the Torah. And if all these statements were taken literally, what secrets would there be? ... The essence [of the Genesis narrative] is the knowledge of God and the truly moral life." (Letters of Rav Kook, Letter 91.)

Taken from http://www.myjewishlearning.com/beliefs/Issues/Science/Creationism_and_Evolution/Kabbalah/Rav_Kook.shtml

Meerkat:
 :clap: :clap: :clap:

muman613:
But there are still issues with the evolutionary theory. It makes no difference to me what they say about evolution, it is clear that Adam is a speaking and thinking man created specially by Hashem for a mission in this physical world. If science has an issue with that, too bad for them. They will miss the point if they are looking to try to prove this.

And in my opinion studying Kabbalah may be more enlightening for the soul than studying quantum physics.

Kahane-Was-Right BT:

--- Quote from: muman613 on September 21, 2010, 11:23:35 PM ---But there are still issues with the evolutionary theory. 
--- End quote ---

Apparently Rav Kook didn't think so, and that was the point of my thread.


--- Quote --- It makes no difference to me what they say about evolution, it is clear that Adam is a speaking and thinking man created specially by Hashem for a mission in this physical world. If science has an issue with that, too bad for them. They will miss the point if they are looking to try to prove this.

--- End quote ---

Prove what?



--- Quote ---And in my opinion studying Kabbalah may be more enlightening for the soul than studying quantum physics.

--- End quote ---

Rav Kook, in addition to all his other major talents and accomplishments, was a major expert in kabbalah (a widely renown kabbalist).   His writings are steeped in the kabbalah and from what I am told, difficult to master.

Meerkat:
they actually have found a common mutation on the Y chromosome on all men, suggesting we have a common origin. genesis and evolution do not contradict each other when interpreted correctly.

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