Q&A: Evolution
Evolution
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I read your book "God Plays Dice," and afterward it really seemed that there is no contradiction at all between the existence of God and evolution—if anything, quite the opposite, as the Rabbi elaborated in his book.
But if I move from the philosophical aspect to the Jewish religious one, how does Judaism explain evolution? My main question is directed toward the creation passage written in the Torah, which seemingly makes it fairly clear that it contradicts evolution (six days, the image of God, the way the woman was created). I would be glad if the Rabbi would answer, or alternatively point me to places that deal with this.
Answer
There is quite a bit of material that deals with reconciling the biblical description with evolution. The basic outline is similar, and so is the order of the stages. As for the details, there are mismatches. In general, there are several ways to reconcile this, but as far as I am concerned, this description is not historical but mythical. Its role is to teach us what is true and what is proper, not what actually happened. It can definitely be an educational myth, and therefore the discussion about matching it up with science seems to me to be of little value and not very important. There are also quite a few discussions on this site around such topics, and you can search for them.
Discussion on Answer
https://www.knowingfaith.co.il/%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%A2/%D7%94%D7%92%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%92%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%90%D7%94
https://www.knowingfaith.co.il/%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%A2/%D7%90%D7%91%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%99%D7%94%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA
What does the myth teach by saying that the creeping things were created on the fifth day?
I don't know. What does the entire biblical corpus teach? From Genesis to "before the eyes of all Israel"? In general, the creation account shows the hierarchy in living creatures leading up to us (inanimate, plant, animal in its various kinds, speaking being).
The fact that the serpent could talk contradicts more basic principles than evolution does. Why don't people ask about that?
I'm referring to a few sources from outside the site
https://www.knowingfaith.co.il/%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%A2/%D7%90%D7%91%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%99%D7%94%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA
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