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Rav Samson Raphael Hirsh in 1873 - Evolution does not contradict Torah
Kahane-Was-Right BT:
Rav Samson Raphael Hirsh wrote this in 1873, which is only 14 years after Darwin published "Origin of Species" - so needless to say, the theory of evolution was still in a very primitive format and not yet backed up with mountains of evidence as it is today. It was much more speculative and unknown as a hypothesis at that time. For this reason he refers to it as "a vague hypothesis still unsupported by fact." But, importantly, he also says the following:
"Even if this notion were ever to gain complete acceptance by the scientific world, Jewish thought, unlike the reasoning of the high priest of that nation, would nonetheless never summon us to revere a still extant representative of this primal form as the supposed ancestor of us all. Rather, Judaism in that case would call upon its adherents to give even greater reverence than ever before to the one, sole G-d Who, in His boundless creative wisdom and eternal omnipotence, needed to bring into existence no more than one single, amorphous nucleus, and one single law of “adaptation and heredity” in order to bring forth, from what seemed chaos but was in fact a very definite order, the infinite variety of species we know today, each with its unique characteristics that sets it apart from all other creatures." (“The Educational Value of Judaism,” Collected Writings, vol. VII, p. 264)
The "high priest" refers to a fervent and vocal darwinist, and by "representative of primal form" he refers to an ape. It seems this was a particular jab at well known comments, but I don't know who it's about. I've read it might be referring to Thomas Huxley. My guess is that Huxley, or whoever it was, suggested that religious people should worship the ape because that preceded the human (rather than G-d who preceded the world according to our actual beliefs - a pretty lame insult). The way Rav Hirsh responds is quite ironic and humorous in light of the modern-day phenomenon whereby the American liberals really do worship that extant representative of primal form...
I have added bold emphasis to very important parts of Rav Hirsh's comment.
wonga66:
"If you are still troubled by the theory of evolution, I can tell you without fear of contradiction that it has not a shred of evidence to support it."
(Lubavitcher Rebbe).
"Looking at this theory of Darwinian evolution as an attempt at a scientific formulation, it is very unconvincing, to say the least. Despite the beautiful and convincing descriptions in popular science books and high school texts, with their persuasive pictures, not only is the theory of evolution totally unproven, it is practically disproven." (Professor Leo Levi)
Kahane-Was-Right BT:
--- Quote from: wonga66 on October 14, 2010, 09:10:56 PM --- "If you are still troubled by the theory of evolution, I can tell you without fear of contradiction that it has not a shred of evidence to support it."
(Lubavitcher Rebbe).
"Looking at this theory of Darwinian evolution as an attempt at a scientific formulation, it is very unconvincing, to say the least. Despite the beautiful and convincing descriptions in popular science books and high school texts, with their persuasive pictures, not only is the theory of evolution totally unproven, it is practically disproven." (Professor Leo Levi)
--- End quote ---
Quotes like that are irrelevant given what I quoted above.
And I strongly disagree with the assessments of these supposed science experts you are citing. Science is not decided with soundbites and witty quotes. It's not "waved off" by non-experts who simply don't like it for religious reasons.
The point of my post was that according to Rabbi Hirsh, there need not be theological opposition to the theory. So on what grounds do you base your own opposition? Fear? Something else? I'm curious. I suspect it's because your rebbe(s) always railed against science and that Torah Jews should stay away, and you cannot except facing the reality that it's not a danger or treife like it was portrayed, but that it's simply a discipline that has uncovered a lot of useful information.
wonga66:
Let's talk facts on the ground.
Give me your 10 top evidences for the truth of Evolution.
Kahane-Was-Right BT:
--- Quote from: wonga66 on October 14, 2010, 09:40:06 PM ---Let's talk facts on the ground.
Give me your 10 top evidences for the truth of Evolution.
--- End quote ---
Why don't you discuss Rav Hirsh's comment instead?
Regardless of whether you believe the science is true or not, he states that such a theory is not a problem theologically. What do you think about that? Care to comment?
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