J1: Science & Judaism

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A bit of humility

Before God the Creator, it is wise to be humble, especially when it comes to issues of Creation. With all our understanding, we are still ultimately limited. The prophet Isaiah, and the words of God in the Book of Job teach us this:

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
...it is He (God) who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to live in.
(Isaiah 40:21-22)

Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me if you have understanding.
Who determines its measurements - surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone...?
(Job 38:4-6)

The Two Adams

Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, using the opening chapters of Genesis, described an interesting internal split in Human personality. Two sides are mirrored in the two accounts given of the creation of man. In the first chapter Adam is made "in the image of God". He is commanded to "fill the earth and subdue it" and he is created simultaneously with woman. In the second chapter, almost antithetically, he is made "from the dust of the earth", he is commanded to "serve and protect" the garden and he is created alone, and only subsequently does woman appear.

The reason for the discrepancies between the two accounts is simple: they describe two different Adams, two ideal types. Adam of the first chapter is a creative and conquering being. Given intelligence and creativity he is "the image of God". He is a dignified creature and can control and dominate his environment while seeing woman as someone to work with side by side. Adam of the second chapter explores the universe not as a scientist, seeking knowledge and control, but instead as one surprised by its mystery. He needs to understand himself. He is painfully aware of his insignificance, he is only the 'dust of the earth'. He seeks communication with God and only after feeling lonely finds woman. Here they relate face to face.

So you see why there are two Adams? Both are part of what it is to be human. We are all both the strong and creative (Adam I) as well as being the humble and weak (Adam II). Both sides are willed by God. He made us to plan and build the world, but he also made us to need and care for each other.

Questions and obligations

The following Hasidic story gives us questioners some of our own medicine to taste:

A disciple made the following remark in front of Rebbe Menachem-Mendl of Kotzk: God, who is perfect, took six days to create a world that is not, how is that possible? The Rebbe scolded him:

- Could you have done better?
- Yes, I think so, stammered the disciple, who no longer knew what he was saying.
- You could have done better? the Master cried out. Then what are you waiting for? You don't have a minute to waste, go ahead, start working!

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