Q&A: Resurrection of the Dead
Resurrection of the Dead
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I wanted to ask: in light of the progress of science, in the distant future (or maybe near?) it may perhaps be possible to revive the dead. Is belief in the resurrection of the dead referring only to a miraculous resurrection? Or is there room to believe that the resurrection of the dead will come about by way of nature, through scientific progress?
Thank you
Answer
That is בהחלט possible. I once thought that even the idea that the commandments will be void in the time to come could come about scientifically. When they produce meat, milk, pork, and other foods in a lab, all the prohibitions on foods will disappear from the world; and similarly, if we operate things by thought, the prohibitions of labor on the Sabbath will also disappear, and so on.
Discussion on Answer
I assume that was written ironically.
You once thought so—and now you no longer do? (Regarding the commandments becoming void through science.)
It crossed my mind once, and it has remained a possibility until now.
Also regarding the days of the Messiah, see Maimonides’ description (at the end of Sefer Shoftim): “And in that time there will be neither famine nor war, neither envy nor competition, for good things will be abundant and all delicacies available as dust. The occupation of the whole world will be solely to know God. Therefore the sages will be great scholars and know the hidden, profound matters, and they will attain knowledge of their Creator according to the full extent of human capacity, as it is said: ‘For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea’ (Isaiah 11:9).”
You can actually see how working hours are declining thanks to technological improvements.