Q&A: The Uniqueness of the Laws
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
The Uniqueness of the Laws
Question
Hello Rabbi,
1. From a scientific standpoint, is it only in a world with the laws we have that life can arise, or are there other sets of laws that also allow life?
2. If only with such laws can life be produced, then is God limited (can He use only these laws in order to create life)?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
1. It depends how you define life. Clearly, there are quite a few systems of laws that could allow the formation of complex bodies.
2. There is no limitation on Him here at all. See column 302, and many others.
Discussion on Answer
Not at all. The percentage of such systems of laws out of all possible systems is negligible. I discussed this in the book and in the article, where you read about the argument from the laws.
1. If so, then doesn’t the proof from the laws fall apart? One could say that even if there were a different system of laws, life would still arise.