Q&A: How Can Creation and Place Apply to the Spiritual Soul?
How Can Creation and Place Apply to the Spiritual Soul?
Question
Hello Rabbi,
In the Torah, the creation of the soul is described as being done through the blowing of the Holy One’s mouth. But according to what is known in physics, only matter is subject to time and space, so I did not understand how one can explain the coming-into-being of this reality, and its limitation to a certain “place.”
Likewise, angels are described in the prophets as having wings and so on. Is this too a kind of anthropomorphizing, in the sense of “the Torah speaks in human language,” and the truth is that he saw only a spiritual entity—and even that not through sensory sight, but through an awareness of the reality before him [something like prophecy]—and for some reason described it in vivid, imaginary colors?
Answer
I don’t have that physical knowledge at my disposal. I’d be happy if you would be kind enough to teach me and share it with me as well.
In any case, I didn’t understand your assumption that the soul or angels are located in some place. They have an effect in some place, but are not necessarily located there.
As for their wings, I assume the intention is metaphorical.
Discussion on Answer
That may be true, but physics doesn’t determine it. Physics doesn’t deal with the spiritual. Time and space certainly exist in the spiritual realm too, in the sense that actions done here are done in some place and at some time.
If you were to imagine that matter did not exist and only spirit existed, then would there also be no place and time?
I don’t see any necessity for that. Certainly not regarding time.
Isn’t it true that time and space exist only in matter?
I’m a complete ignoramus in physics…