And Once There Was Nothing

    "Well," explained the student. "Science tells us the universe was created in the Big Bang.  The Torah claims that G-d created everything."

    I was shocked by the question.  I realized that certain conclusions, which I had taken for granted, were far from obvious to others.

    What is the Big Bang?  Before we can consider this theory, we must understand the question this theory is designed to answer. The Big Bang theory is designed to answer one simple question:  Where did the universe come from?

    Let us consider the possible responses to this question.  Simply put, there are two possibilities.   The first is that the universe always existed.  It is eternal.  Matter and energy may have changed and evolved over time.  However, in some form the universe always existed.

    The second possibility is that the universe is not eternal.  It has a beginning.  Prior to this beginning there was nothing.  (This is admittedly a strange phrase.  But the idea is clear.)  This possibility asserts that we can speak of the birth of the universe and its age.

    These two possibilities have some very interesting implications.  If we assume that the universe always existed, then we cannot ask, "Where did the universe come from?"  The answer is self-evident!  It was always here.  However, assume that the universe came into existence at a particular point.  (This does not mean a point in time.  Time did not exist before the advent of the universe.  I know this is confusing.)  Then the question can be asked, "What caused the universe?"  Obviously, the universe does not have to exist!  It did not always exist!

    The most plausible response is that some Creator exists.  This Creator is eternal and external to the universe.  The Creator provides the cause for the effect.  The effect is the universe.

    Now we can understand the Big Bang and its implications.  According to the Big Bang theory, the universe is not eternal.  It came into existence.  Not surprisingly, it made an explosive entrance.  Hence, the name Big Bang.

    So, does the theory of the Big Bang contradict creation? Absolutely not!  The Big Bang supports the assertion that there is a Creation.  Creation needs a Creator.  The Creator is the engineer and the cause of the Big Bang.

    Now of course, there is another reason many assume that science contradicts religion.  Didn't the Almighty whip everything together in a few days?  Science claims eons are required to produce even single amoebae.

    Well, this question has been around almost as long as the universe.  However, it is based upon a poor understanding of the Torah.  Almost all readers realize that many parts of the Torah are not to be understood in the literal sense.  The Torah discusses the punishment of "a hand for a hand."  We realize that this does not mean that a person responsible for causing another to lose a limb is dismembered in return.  The Torah is describing the limits of the monetary compensation required.

    Let's consider another example.  The Almighty descended on Mount Sinai.  This does not mean that G-d hopped into his helicopter and took a short flight from heaven to the Sinai desert.  Instead, the Almighty's influence was evident at Mt. Sinai.

    Most readers of the Torah will acknowledge the use of similes or figures in the above examples.  Yet, many will insist that the passages describing creation as a six-day process are to be understood in the most literal sense.  Some of these readers then stress the absurdity of this view of creation.  I sense a little bias here.  It seems some readers want to view the Torah as mere mythology.

    Maimonides, Gershonides and other Sages recognized that the Torah was describing six distinct steps of creations.  The intention was not to imply that each step took place in a twenty-four-hour period.  After all, it wasn't until the fourth step (I'll pass on the word "day") that the sun, moon and stars were created.  There was no basis for a twenty-four- hour cycle during the first three steps.  Once one recognizes that there is no basis for assuming that the first three "days" represent twenty-four-hour periods, there is no reason to attach a twenty-four-hour period to the other days!

    We might as well clear up one last issue. What about evolution?  The Torah describes the Almighty as the grand architect of our world.  Isn't the diversity of creation a result of evolution?

    I never really understood this question.  Maybe my problem is that I am not that religious.  It is difficult for me to accept a principle on the basis of blind, uncritical faith.  The theory of evolution seems to demand a level of religious fanaticism, which is counter to the Jewish outlook.

    "What?" you say.  "Evolution requires blind faith?  Evolution is science!"

    Well, let's consider the facts.  Imagine that you and I are driving  (read: crawling) down I-5.  We pass Boeing Field.  Standing in front of a hangar is a just-off-the-production-line 757.  You say to me,  "Boeing certainly builds a beautiful jet!"  (I know people don't really say these things.  Just bear with me.)

    "What?" I respond.  "No one built that jet.  Over a period of time the various parts came together through chance and, bingo!  An airliner came into existence!"

    At this point you look at me carefully.  You notice I am in a trance-like state and exhibiting the initial signs of an emotional breakdown.  You decide I have been a high school principal far too long.  You get off at the closest exit and head for a hospital.

    Well, let us consider exactly why you would consider me to be somewhat unhinged.  Complex items do not just come into existence.  Design, planning and construction are needed.  The human eye is a complex structure.  Its design is as least as advanced as that of the airliner.  How can we reject the chance formation of the jet, yet convince ourselves of the evolution of the eye?  The eye is just one example of the magnificent engineering which fills our world!

    Of course, one might respond that evolution does not depend on chance.  Natural selection - the survival of the fittest - provides the element of design.

    This is another one of those "scientific" theories which requires a tremendous leap of faith!  We are required to accept on faith that the various intricate components of the eye  appeared incrementally. Each provided a significant survival advantage and was bequeathed to the next generation.

    I realize that these comments just begin to touch upon the issues discussed.  I hope I have succeeded in adding a little clarity.