Q&A: Mathematics and Torah
Mathematics and Torah
Question
With God's help"D
Can academic mathematics (or at least mathematics at the 5-unit level) help in understanding the Torah? If so, I would be happy to see an example
Answer
I don't know what "the Torah" means here. Do you mean the Written Torah? I don't think so. Although even there there are calculations that can help (like birth-rate calculations regarding the number of the children of Israel). But in Jewish law, certainly yes. There are quite a few mathematical errors among the medieval authorities (Rishonim) and halakhic decisors because they didn't know mathematics. See, for example, Mishnah Mikvaot 3:3, which is discussed in column 381.
Discussion on Answer
The latter. It's impossible to know everything. That's what experts are for. Still, it's desirable that he have some background and general education so he knows that he needs to ask, whom to ask, and how to understand the answer and its significance.
Thank you very much for the response.
Following that, is a teacher of Jewish law required to study the scientific tools that are relevant to issuing halakhic rulings in practice (such as solving differential equations), or is he only required to know the halakhic rules relevant to the topics under discussion (such as "it forever remains in its invalid status until it is determined that less than three log remained from the original waters"), and with those rules approach a scientist?