Intelligent Design is Consistent with Judaism

The modern concept of Intelligent Design seems to be quite consistent with classical Torah concepts. In contrast, Darwinist evolution theories not only require great leaps of faith to explain the evident complexity in the Universe, but Darwinist evolution also removes any meaning or purpose to the Universe. . The conce

Intelligent Design is Consistent with Judaism

The concept of reflecting on the wisdom evident in the design of the Universe has strong roots in ancient rabbinic thought. Within various rabbinic writings are some concepts that seem quite consistent with the modern Intelligent Design movement. In the famous medieval (11th Century C.E.) Jewish ethics book Chovos HaLevavos, a whole shaar(gate) is devoted to explaining how Jews should examine the created Universe and thus deduce proofs of the existence and wisdom of the Creator.

“One is obligated to reflect on the created things, and deduce from them proofs of the Creator’s wisdom, by the dictates of reason, Scripture, and rabbinic tradition.”

(Chovos HaLevavos, Shaar HaBechina, Chapter Two)

Chovos HaLevavos also explains that the wisdom evident in the design of the Universe offers proof that the Universe was created with the intention of an Intelligent Agent. Thus Chovos HaLevavos is in direct conflict with Darwinist evolution which can only posit an “appearance” of intelligence in the biological order that lacks any actual purpose.

“It is evident to us that for things which come about without the intent of an intender (i.e. an intelligence who designed it with a purpose) — none of them will display any trace of wisdom or ability. Behold and see, that if a man suddenly pours ink on clean paper, it would be impossible for there to be drawn on it orderly writing and legible lines like it would be with a quill, and if a man brought before us orderly writing from what cannot be written without use of a quill, and he would say that ink was spilled on paper, and the form of the writing happened on its own, we would be quick to call him a liar to his face and tell him that it must have been written without an intelligent person’s intent. And since, in our eyes, this is something impossible for mere symbols (the alphabet) that we have agreed on — how could we entertain the notion for something whose engineering is far more fine, and whose assembly is infinitely more deep and beyond our comprehension, to say that it is without intent of an Intender, and without the wisdom of a wise and powerful Being.”

(Chovos HaLevavos, Shaar HaYichud, Chapter Six)

What is Intelligent Design

A basic definition of Intelligent Design” might be the concept that we observe various physical and biological features of the Universe whose existence is best explained as due to the actions of an Intelligent Agent rather than due to the effects of undirected natural processes such as natural selection.In contrast t

What is Intelligent Design

A basic definition of “Intelligent Design” might be the concept that we observe various physical and biological features of the Universe whose existence is best explained as due to the actions of an Intelligent Agent rather than due to the effects of undirected natural processes such as natural selection.

In contrast to Neo-Darwinist (evolution) theory, intelligent design philosophers and scientists argue that the best explanation for the origins of life, and the origins of the many biological forms, is an Intelligent Agent.

Intelligent Design (ID) theory postulates that design is empirically detectable in various physical and biological aspects of the Universe. For example-

the overwhelming scientific evidence that the Universe had a definite beginning, observed since the 1920s in the red-shift and the expansion of the Universe,
the substantial evidence that the physical constants of the Universe have been enormously fine-tuned to allow for the existence of life,
and
the large amounts of functional information present in the DNA of biological organisms.

The three factors mentioned above, among others, all provide convincing evidence that a Superintelligence created the Universe (and continues to maintain its existence), and this Superintelligence must have also created the life forms present on Earth. Materialist scientific theories, citing undirected natural causes, simply cannot provide convincing explanations for the origins of the Universe and the origins and development of life on Earth.

ID theorists may or may not specify that the Intelligent Agent responsible for design in the Universe is God, and ID in general does not attempt to define the exact nature of the Intelligent Agent. ID theorists recognize that our Universe could not have simply popped into existence by itself. ID theory would only be inconsistent with Judaism if it implied a Creator with characteristics contrary to Torah theology. I am not aware that ID does imply any such characteristics. However, its astounding how some Jews can believe that acceptance of atheist Darwinist evolution can be preferable to acceptance of ID.

Multiverse-An Atheist Religion

Starting almost one hundred years ago, the atheist pseudo scientists were extremely dismayed by the overwhelming scientific evidence that this Universe is both extremely finetuned to allow life and that it also had a beginning in space and time.The powerful scientific evidence that the Universe had a beginning, with it

Multiverse-An Atheist Religion

Starting almost one hundred years ago, the atheist pseudo scientists were extremely dismayed by the overwhelming scientific evidence that this Universe is both extremely fine-tuned to allow life and that it also had a beginning in space and time.

The powerful scientific evidence that the Universe had a beginning, with its implications of a supernatural Creator, has caused great anguish to many atheists. The atheists are desperately inventing fanciful and non-scientific eternal “Multiverse” theories in a vain attempt to resurrect Aristotle’s eternal Universe/Multiverse theories.

Multiverse theories are really more akin to a non-scientific, non-rational faith based atheist religion, as there is simply no scientific possibility of detecting and proving the existence of the postulated additional Universes. To suppress any belief in the possibility of an intelligent Creator, these atheists invented a fanciful multiverse religion claiming the existence of zillions of completely undetectable and unreachable alternate Universes. By postulating the existence of these undetectable Universes, the atheists can then explain the existence of our Universe as being resulting from chance, undirected, natural causes.

None of these alternate Universes have ever been detected to my knowledge, nor do I believe they ever will be detected, as that would likely violate the laws of physics.

The so-called “scientific method” involves careful observation of natural phenomenon, then formulating hypotheses, by a process of induction, that are a proposed explanation of the phenomenon. Can speculation about Multiverses really be consistent with the scientific method? When has any “Multiverse” ever been observed? Is observation of a “Multiverse” even possible?

Eternal Multiverse Removes God and Prophecy

An eternal universe (or multiverse) imposes a scientific determinism on the Universe and removes the possibility of God’s involvement in the Universe. The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim II:25 explains that belief in Aristotle’s eternal universe, (IE a universe that exists of necessity, and where nature never changes), refutes the Law in its principle and denies every miracle.
The Rambam is saying that Aristotle’s eternal universe is a universe governed by “scientific determinism”, and no Torah, miracles, or hashgacha pratis (Divine providence) is possible in such a Universe.

Clearly the goal of the Evolutionists and their fellow travelers (IE the atheist believers in an eternal Multiverse), is to define universe(s) resembling Aristo’s universe, IE universe(s) governed solely by scientific determinism with no Torah, revelation or miracles possible.

Metaphysics vs Scientism

Before the modern era, many philosopher/scientists studied what people in the modern age would call metaphysics. Metaphysics might be roughly defined as the study of the most general structure of reality, along with the study of the ultimate causes of the various forms of existence.Scientism might be defined as a a phi

Metaphysics vs Scientism

Before the modern era, many philosopher/scientists studied what people in the modern age would call “metaphysics”. Metaphysics” might be roughly defined as the study of the most general structure of reality, along with the study of the ultimate causes of the various forms of existence.

Scientism might be defined as a a philosophy and world view where science is assumed to explain EVERYTHING we know about reality and the Universe. In truth though scientism has no ability to do so. Modern “scientism”, which developed in the last four hundred years or so, has created a system of “mathematical materialism” and abandoned any of the useful concepts of “Metaphysics” that were included in scientific thought of the past. In modern “scientism”, the only reality recognized are material phenomenon that are observable and describable with mathematical equations.

By abandoning Metaphysics concepts, and focusing science solely on developing mathematical, material explanations of Nature, modern science has actually created gaping holes in the ability of man to comprehend the Universe. This approach has resulted in the current world view that has been called “scientism”.

If metaphysics can be reintroduced, we will much more able capable of increasing our understanding of the Universe than we would be by relying on “scientism”.

Metaphysics vs Scientism II

Dr. Edward Feser is a well known Catholic philosophy professor and Aristotelian who seems to be arguing for the revival of Metaphysics. I am inclined to support some of his Metaphysics ideas as they highlight the major flaws in what today we would call “scientism” and materialism. Dr. Feser has explained that “scientism is the view that science alone gives us knowledge of reality.” In contrast to scientism, “Metaphysics is the rational investigation of the general structure of reality and the ultimate causes of things”.

Dr. Feser has explained that Metaphysics is “the most fundamental discipline of all, more fundamental than epistemology, physics, biology, or any other philosophical or scientific discipline”.

I recommend Dr. Feser’s excellent book “Aristotle’s Revenge” – “The Metaphysical Foundations of Physical and Biological Science”. Studying that book has opened up some new intellectual vistas for me. Dr. Feser’s book explains in clear modern English some of the (previously) mysterious concepts in medieval metaphysics that I had encountered while studying the Rambam’s extraordinary Moreh Nevuchim sefer.

Reading Dr. Feser’s book, initially mysterious metaphysical concepts such as potential and actual, matter and form, and efficient cause and final cause started to come to life for me.

I found especially fascinating Dr. Feser’s eloquent criticisms of modern science for its abandonment of ancient Metaphysics concepts. It appears that this abandonment of metaphysics paved a clear road for modern science to promote atheism, materialism, and contempt for religion.

The ideas in “Aristotle’s Revenge” have alerted me as to a possible significant factor in the large scale abandonment of Judaism by many Jews who, in the last few hundred years, have been greatly influenced by modern atheist “science” and materialism. I have become more aware of the necessity for religious Jews to become reacquainted with certain Metaphysics concepts, and thus hopefully reinvigorate Torah monotheism that has been under attack by atheist modern “science”.

God’s Promise to Eliminate Hamas

Many people, both Jews and nonJews, may not be aware that the word hamas is a Hebrew word that seems to appear thousands of times in classical Jewish sources such as the Bible, Talmud, Midrash etc.!. The Hebrew word חָמַס ( hamas ) is one of the most negative words in Torah literature, it means to do violence or w

God’s Promise to Eliminate Hamas

Many people, both Jews and non-Jews, may not be aware that the word “hamas” is a Hebrew word that seems to appear thousands of times in classical Jewish sources such as the Bible, Talmud, Midrash etc.!

The Hebrew word חָמַס ( hamas ) is one of the most negative words in Torah literature, it means to do violence or wrong. (Klein dictionary).

In Torah literature, “hamas” always seems to be connected with barbaric evil, violence, and robbery.

However, God also promised that Hamas would be removed from the Land of Israel in the future. So we must never despair despite the brutal terrorism of Hamas and its supporters.

“God said to Noah, I have decided to put an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with HAMAS and because of them I am about to destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:13)

” Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; save me from HAMAS, whose minds are full of evil schemes, who plot war every day.” (Psalm 140:2-3)

“God seeks out the righteous person, but the wicked one and the lover of HAMAS He loathes.” (Psalm 11:5)

However the prophet Isaiah promises us that HAMAS will be removed from the Land of Israel, may it come to pass soon.

” HAMAS shall no more be heard in your land,
Nor robbery and destruction, within your borders.
And you shall name your walls Victory.
And your gates Renown.”

(Isaiah 60:18)

Saving Western Civilization

How Torah concepts can save Western Civilization. Democracy alone cannot solve man’s spiritual or ethical problems.

Saving Western Civilization

Democracy alone cannot solve man’s spiritual or ethical problems. Democracy can be useful but only when it is implemented and restrained in a society with Biblical religious values. Democracy fails when not restrained by any Biblical values.

The Talmud mentions how the ancient Jewish sage known as Rabbi taught Biblical principles to a decent Roman emperor known as Antoninus. This represented a valid complementary service to the world, IE the physical power of the Romans was united with the spiritual power of the Jews.

We must maintain the First Amendment and allow citizens to worship or not worship a Creator as they please. However, bloodthirsty barbarians who do not accept the basic ethical rules of Western civilization (derived from the Bible), IE Thou shalt not murder, and who promote an ideology advocating mass murder of alleged infidels, must be imprisoned or ejected from America, Israel, and all civilized countries.

Secular “democracy” cannot replace religious beliefs that satisfy man’s spiritual and philosophical aspirations.
Western progressivism and secularism have abandoned any value systems and they cannot distinguish between right and wrong.
Totalitarian “progressivism” has often become a substitute religion for ethical monotheism.

The only hope for the West to overcome all anarchy, turmoil, totalitarianism and jihadist Islam is to return to an ethical monotheism based on Biblical values.

The true conflict in the world now concerns which philosophical/spiritual system will govern mankind — the Bible’s vision of the world, or various totalitarian ideologies such as radical Islam, “progressivism”, or Marxism/Socialism.

For Western Civilization to survive, there is a need to embrace the common Biblical, ethical, social, and family principles among Jews, Catholics, Protestants, even if their theologies differ.

What is True Freedom

Torah Concept of True Freedom

What is True Freedom

The cruel, depraved behaviors of the ancient false gods encouraged and legitimized such behavior among humans who worshiped such false gods. The Bible’s denial of the ancient false gods who engaged in the most depraved aspects of human behavior, and the replacement of those false gods with one incorporeal, ethical God for all of mankind, was a great step forward for mankind.

The Jewish Bible’s “radical” and “innovative” concepts of ethical monotheism caused a great advancement in human civilization. An advancement from the cruel and primitive pagan barbarism that prevailed in the ancient world to societies that recognized the uniqueness and dignity of Man as a being created in the Image of his Creator. The ideas taught in the Jewish Bible promoted a universal morality, a morality that recognized objective standards of good and evil within the world. Man became aware of the possibility of an ultimate purpose and meaning to human existence, as opposed to humans simply seeking gratification of their physical senses in this world. Man also became aware of the possibility of non-physical human existence after death, and the possibility of the judgment of Man for his actions in this world, when he reaches the next world.

The concept of Man being created in the image of God can also be understood as man’s ability to contemplate God’s actions in the Universe and then imitate and serve Him.

The concept of “freedom” must not be perverted into a Westernized libertarian concept of “libertarianism”, where man has no ethical restrictions imposed on his behavior. True freedom must be embraced as freedom from oppression and freedom to find one’s meaning in life through one’s philosophic or religious convictions.

True freedom in the Biblical sense must be understood as man’s freedom to serve God without oppression or interference from government or political forces, from criminal or terrorist forces, or from totalitarian religious or philosophical forces.

Noachide Laws-Foundation of Morality for Man

According to normative Jewish tradition, the Biblical prophet Noah, a nonJew, was commanded by God to observe seven basic commandments. . These commandments are considered by Jewish tradition as being obligatory on all mankind until this day. . The following list comprises the Seven Noachide Laws that constitute univer

Noachide Laws-Foundation of Morality for Man

According to normative Jewish tradition, the Biblical prophet Noah, a non-Jew, was commanded by God to observe seven basic commandments.

These commandments are considered by Jewish tradition as being obligatory on all mankind until this day.

The following list comprises the Seven Noachide Laws that constitute universal laws that all mankind are obligated to observe:

the prohibition against worship of false gods;
the prohibition against cursing God;
the prohibition against murder;
the prohibition against incest and adultery;
the prohibition against theft;
the prohibition against eating flesh torn from a living animal.
the command to establish laws and courts of justice.

The Seven Noachide Laws are a set of universal ethical guidelines given to the Biblical prophet Noah and his descendants.
The Noachide Laws can resolve the present massive turmoil and societal anarchy within the world if they would be adhered to by all mankind.

Man Created in the Image of God

Man Created in the Image of God, Genesis 1:27, Uniqueness of Man Over Animals

Man Created in the Image of God

וַיִּבְרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ אֶת־הָֽאָדָם֙ בְּצַלְמ֔וֹ בְּצֶ֥לֶם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּרָ֣א אֹת֑וֹ זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בָּרָ֥א אֹתָֽם׃

“And God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
(Genesis 1:27)

A primary understanding of the Biblical concept that Man is created in the “image of God”, as explained by the great rabbinic philosopher Maimonides, is that man possesses an ability of intellectual apprehension that no other physical creature possesses. Intellectual apprehension does not exist in animals, only in Man.

According to the Jewish Bible, the prophet Noah had three sons who with their wives reconstituted humanity after the Biblical Flood. The nature of civilization is hinted to in the Biblical descriptions of the three sons of Noach. The ability of intellectual apprehension has been especially manifested in the descendants of Shem and Yefet, two of the sons of Noah.

The Biblical Shem became the ancestor of the Semites and the Jews. The Jews gave the world the Bible and thus disseminated the concepts of ethical monotheism to the world that replaced the pagan barbarism that reigned in earlier ages. The Biblical phrase “Yaft Elokim Yefet” in Genesis hints at the concept that God will expand Yefet’s mind. The Biblical Yefet became the ancestor of the Europeans, including the Greeks, who greatly advanced science and philosophy.

The Red-Green Axis today is a worldwide alliance of powerful totalitarian ideologies, including Marxists, radical Islamists, and “progressive” Leftists including much of the current Democrat Party today. This unholy alliance is not only attempting to dismantle Western Civilization, but they are also attempting to suppress and destroy Biblical concepts such as Man being created in the image of God. Their goals are to devolve man to just another sophisticated animal and replace Western Civilization with barbarism.

Civilized people and nations must not allow the Red-Green Axis to succeed in their goal of dismantling Western Civilization and replacing it with barbarism.