Q&A: Creation of Things That Are Not Useful
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Creation of Things That Are Not Useful
Question
Hello Rabbi,
What is the explanation for the creation of imperfect things and unnecessary things in creation—for example, non-useful organs in the human body: wisdom teeth, the tailbone, the appendix, and other things that were seemingly created unnecessarily and serve no use?
Answer
I don’t know. But they were formed evolutionarily, so the question isn’t all that relevant.
Discussion on Answer
No. I’ve explained more than once that the laws of nature constrain the Holy One, blessed be He, and things can result that are not His will. Search here on the site for discussions about natural evil in the world.
I didn’t understand why, if they were formed evolutionarily, the question isn’t all that relevant. Doesn’t the Rabbi hold that evolution is directed by the hand of God and by the laws of nature? Except for free choice, of course. Maybe the Rabbi thinks it’s plausible that free choice affected these things? Thanks.