The Age Of The Universe A Torah True Perspective

This is a transcript of a lecture givenby Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z'tl which discusses the question of the age of the Universe according to Torah thought:Is it around 6000 years old or billions?Rabbi Kaplan goes through variousapproaches to this question, and concludes with a view based on authoritative sources from over 700 years ago, which lead to a very satisfactory answer.Also briefly touching on other interesting topics, this booklet is an important read for anyone wanting a non-apologeticanswer to this question.Price for printed version is profit-free. Only lulu makes money as a printing fee.

"The Genesis One Code" offers a careful examination of the relationship between scientific theory and biblical teaching. The book targets the origins debate from a fresh perspective informed by scientific and spiritual research and demonstrates an alignment between the dates of key events described in Genesis 1 and 2 with those derived from scientific theory and observation.

This essay is an examination of the age of the universe as discussed in Kabbalistic works. It is important to realize that the Kabbalistic texts do not only discuss mysticism, but also many areas of hashkafah (Jewish outlook) which are of great importance to us. Let us begin with the classic question asked about the age of the universe. At face value, the Torah seemingly teaches us that the universe is 6,000 years old. Therefore, many people would hold the opinion that anyone who believes that the world is older than 6,000 years is an apikores(one who denies the basic tenets of Judaism). However, there is scientific evidence that the universe is more than 6,000 years old; maybe millions of times more. How do we resolve this question?

The book is divided into three sections. The first provides a general historical overview for the Jewish thought that follows. The second summarizes the variety of basic kinds of popular, positive Jewish commitment in the twentieth century. The third and major section summarizes the basic thought of those modern Jewish philosophers whose thought is technically the best and/or the most influential in Jewish intellectual circles. The Jewish philosophers covered include Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Hermann Cohen, Martin Buber, Franz Rosenzweig, Mordecai Kaplan, and Emil Fackenheim. The text includes summaries and a selected bibliography of primary and secondary sources.

This essay is an examination of the age of the universe as discussed in Kabbalistic works. It is important to realize that the Kabbalistic texts do not only discuss mysticism, but also many areas of hashkafah (Jewish outlook) which are of great importance to us. Let us begin with the classic question asked about the age of the universe. At face value, the Torah seemingly teaches us that the universe is 6,000 years old. Therefore, many people would hold the opinion that anyone who believes that the world is older than 6,000 years is an apikores(one who denies the basic tenets of Judaism). However, there is scientific evidence that the universe is more than 6,000 years old; maybe millions of times more. How do we resolve this question?

Jewish history and the Holocaust present all who examine with a cloudy dark crystal that appears impenetrable. However, Judaism has a very sophisticated mystical system, called Kabbalah, or "tradition" which provides all the answers needed to make light illuminate the darkness noted above. The Kabbalah brings home the point that Jewish history, indeed all human history, begins and ends with human beings as the hands and eyes of God.

This book seeks to confront the challenge that science presents to the traditional pillars of Judaism. It identifies and analyzes a wide variety of issues, including some contemporary sacred cows. First, the book considers what is fact and what is fiction in the primary stories contained in Judaism’s foundational texts. Then, drawing on Jewish ethical teachings, it seeks to determine how Judaism and science can inform each other with respect to a broad range of contemporary issues, from abortion and allergies to vaccinations and violence with firearms. Finally, it peeks into the future to address issues that Judaism and science are just now beginning to discuss, such as an exotheology for aliens on distant planets, a Jewdroid who seeks acceptance in a shul, and even the fate of the universe itself. When Judaism Meets Science addresses readers of all persuasions—regardless of denomination and whether a believer or not—as the author builds a case, with specific recommendations, for the value of a reality-based Judaism, one grounded on both traditional ethics and empirical evidence that can resonate with the educated adults of Israel.