(ב) הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם מְֽסַפְּרִ֥ים כְּבֽוֹד־ה׳ וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָ֝דָ֗יו מַגִּ֥יד הָרָקִֽיעַ׃
Carl Sagan / The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light‐years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual. So are our emotions in the presence of great art or music or literature, or acts of exemplary selfless courage such as those of Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. The notion that science and spirituality are somehow mutually exclusive does a disservice to both (The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark) 24
(ז) ודע - כי הענינים הטבעיים גם כן אין ראוי לגלותם בלמד קצת התחלותיהם כפי מה שהם בבאור. וכבר ידעת אמרם ז"ל "ולא במעשה בראשית בשנים"; ואלו באר שום אדם הענינים ההם כלם בספר יהיו כאלו 'דרש' לאלפים מבני אדם. ולזה הביאו הענינים ההם גם כן בספרי הנבואה במשלים ודברו בהם ה'חכמים ז"ל' בחידות ומשלים להמשך אחר דרך ספרי הקדש בעבור שהם ענינים ביניהם ובין החכמה האלוקית קרבה גדולה והם גם כן סודות מסודות החכמה האלוקית: ולא תחשב שה'סודות' העצומות ההם ידועות עד תכליתם ואחריתם לאחד ממנו. לא כן אבל פעם יוצץ לנו האמת עד שנחשבנו יום; ואחר כן יעלימוהו הטבעים והמנהגים עד שנשוב בליל חשך קרוב למה שהיינו תחלה...
(ח) ...כאלו החכמים והיודעים נמשכים אחר הענין הזה ברצון האלוקי כמו שימשכום עניניהם הטבעיים: הלא תראה - כי האלוה ית' כשרצה להשלימנו ולתקן עניני המונינו בתורותיו המעשיות - אשר לא יתכן זה אלא אחר דעות שכליות תחלתם - השגתו ית' כפי יכלתנו - אשר לא יתכן זה אלא בחכמת האלוהות - ולא תגיע החכמה האלוקית ההיא אלא אחר חכמת הטבע כי חכמת הטבע מצרנית לחכמת האלוהות וקודמת לה בזמן הלמוד כמו שהתבאר למי שעין בזה - ולזה שם פתיחת ספרו ית' ב'מעשה בראשית' אשר הוא חכמת הטבע כמו שבארנו; ולעצם הענין ויקרתו והיות יכלתנו קצרה מהשיג עצם הענינים כפי מה שהם הגיד לנו הענינים העמקים ההם אשר הביא הכרח החכמה האלוקית להגידם לנו במשלים וחידות ובדברים סתומים מאד. כמו שאמרו 'ז"ל' "להגיד כח מעשה בראשית לבשר ודם אי אפשר לפיכך סתם לך הכתוב "בראשית ברא אלקים וגו'" - וכבר העירוך על היות אלו הענינים הנזכרים 'סתומות'. וכבר ידעת מאמר שלמה "רחוק מה שהיה ועמק עמק מי ימצאנו?" ושם הדברים בכל זה בשמות המשתתפים בעבור שיבינם ההמון על ענין כשעור הבנתם וחלשת ציורם ויקחם השלם שכבר ידע על ענין אחר:
(7) Know that also in Natural Science there are topics which are not to be fully explained. Our Sages laid down the rule, "The Ma‘aseh Bereshith must not be expounded in the presence of two." If an author were to explain these principles in writing, it would be equal to expounding them unto thousands of men. For this reason the prophets treat these subjects in figures, and our Sages, imitating the method of Scripture, speak of them in metaphors and allegories; because there is a close affinity between these subjects and metaphysics, and indeed they form part of its mysteries. Do not imagine that these most difficult problems can be thoroughly understood by any one of us. This is not the case. At times the truth shines so brilliantly that we perceive it as clear as day. Our nature and habit then draw a veil over our perception, and we return to a darkness almost as dense as before....
(8)...These laws, however, presuppose an advanced state of intellectual culture. We must first form a conception of the Existence of the Creator according to our capabilities; that is, we must have a knowledge of Metaphysics. But this discipline can only be approached after the study of Physics: for the science of Physics borders on Metaphysics, and must even precede it in the course of our studies, as is clear to all who are familiar with these questions. Therefore the Almighty commenced Holy Writ with the description of the Creation, that is, with Physical Science; the subject being on the one hand most weighty and important, and on the other hand our means of fully comprehending those great problems being limited. He described those profound truths, which His Divine Wisdom found it necessary to communicate to us, in allegorical, figurative, and metaphorical language. Our Sages have said (Yemen Midrash on Gen. 1:1), "It is impossible to give a full account of the Creation to man. Therefore Scripture simply tells us, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). Thus they have suggested that this subject is a deep mystery, and in the words of Solomon, "Far off and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?" (Eccles. 7:24). It has been treated in metaphors in order that the uneducated may comprehend it according to the measure of their faculties and the feebleness of their apprehension, while educated persons may take it in a different sense.
Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, Book VI.3
Let it be assumed that the states by virtue of which the soul possesses truth by way of affirmation or denial are five in number, i.e. art (techne), scientific knowledge (episteme), practical wisdom (phroneisis), philosophic wisdom (sophia), intuitive reason (nous); we do not include judgement and opinion because in these we may be mistaken.
Now what scientific knowledge is, if we are to speak exactly and not follow mere similarities, is plain from what follows. We all suppose that what we know is not even capable of being otherwise; of things capable of being otherwise we do not know, when they have passed outside our observation, whether they exist or not.
Therefore the object of scientific knowledge is of necessity. Therefore it is eternal; for things that are of necessity in the unqualified sense are all eternal; and things that are eternal are ungenerated and imperishable. Again, every science is thought to be capable of being taught, and its object of being learned...it proceeds sometimes through induction and sometimes by syllogism...Scientific knowledge is, then, a state of capacity to demonstrate.
The Novum Organon, Lord Francis Bacon, 1620
In short, you may find all access to any species of philosophy, however pure, intercepted by the ignorance of divines. Some in their simplicity are apprehensive that a too deep inquiry into nature may penetrate beyond the proper bounds of decorum, transferring and absurdly applying what is said of sacred mysteries in Holy Writ against those who pry into divine secrets, to the mysteries of nature, which are not forbidden by any prohibition. Others with more cunning imagine and consider, that if secondary causes be unknown, everything may more easily be referred to the Divine hand and wand, a matter, as they think, of the greatest consequence to religion, but which can only really mean that God wishes to be gratified by means of falsehood...
It will, perhaps, be as well to distinguish three species and degrees of ambition [with regard to science]. First, that of men who are anxious to enlarge their own power in their country, which is a vulgar and degenerate kind; next, that of men who strive to enlarge the power and empire of their country over mankind, which is more dignified but not less covetous; but if one were to endeavor to renew and enlarge the power and empire of mankind in general over the universe, such ambition[106] (if it may be so termed) is both more sound and more noble than the other two. Now the empire of man over things is founded on the arts and sciences alone, for nature is only to be commanded by obeying her....let none be alarmed at the objection of the arts and sciences becoming depraved to malevolent or luxurious purposes and the like, for the same can be said of every worldly good; talent, courage, strength, beauty, riches, light itself, and the rest. Only let mankind regain their rights over nature, assigned to them by the gift of God, and obtain that power, whose exercise will be governed by right reason and true religion.
כל המסתכל בארבעה דברים ראוי לו כאילו לא בא לעולם מה למעלה מה למטה מה לפנים ומה לאחור וכל שלא חס על כבוד קונו ראוי לו שלא בא לעולם:
The mishna continues in the same vein: Whoever looks at four matters, it would have been better for him had he never entered the world: Anyone who reflects upon what is above the firmament and what is below the earth, what was before Creation, and what will be after the end of the world. And anyone who has no concern for the honor of his Maker, who inquires into and deals with matters not permitted to him, deserves to have never come to the world.
When man contemplates concerning these things, and perceives all creatures, whether angel, sphere, or man the likeness of himself, and discovers the wisdom of the Holy One, blessed is He! in all beings of form and in all creatures, his love for the Omnipresent increases and his soul and body thirst and yearn to love Him, blessed is He! and, fear and terror, because of his own insignificance, shortcomings and levity seize him when comparing himself to one of the great and holy bodies, verily so to one of the pure forms, separated from bodies of clay, which never joined a body of clay. He then will find himself likened to a vessel full of shame and disgrace, empty and wanting. Shabbat, 31b.
הלא תראה - כי האלוק יתברך כשרצה להשלימנו ולתקן עניני המונינו בתורותיו המעשיות - אשר לא יתכן זה אלא אחר דעות שכליות תחלתם - השגתו ית' כפי יכלתנו - אשר לא יתכן זה אלא בחכמת האלוהות - ולא תגיע החכמה האלוקית ההיא אלא אחר חכמת הטבע, כי מדע הטבע תוחם את המדע האלוקי, וקודם לו בזמן הלימוד, כמו שהתבאר למי שעין בזה - ולזה שם פתיחת ספרו ית' ב'מעשה בראשית' אשר הוא חכמת הטבע כמו שבארנו
We must first form a conception of the Existence of the Creator according to our capabilities; that is, we must have a knowledge of Metaphysics. But this discipline can only be approached after the study of Physics: for the science of Physics borders on Metaphysics, and must even precede it in the course of our studies, as is clear to all who are familiar with these questions. Therefore the Almighty commenced Holy Writ with the description of the Creation, that is, with Physical Science; the subject being on the one hand most weighty and important, and on the other hand our means of fully comprehending those great problems being limited.
(כה) וַיִּצְעַ֣ק אֶל־ה׳ וַיּוֹרֵ֤הוּ ה׳ עֵ֔ץ וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ֙ אֶל־הַמַּ֔יִם וַֽיִּמְתְּק֖וּ הַמָּ֑יִם שָׁ֣ם שָׂ֥ם ל֛וֹ חֹ֥ק וּמִשְׁפָּ֖ט וְשָׁ֥ם נִסָּֽהוּ׃
(25) So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood; he threw it into the water and the water became sweet. There He made for them a fixed rule, and there He put them to the test.
Rav Sherira Gaon - Teshuvot Hageonim
Our sages were not doctors and said what they did based on experience with the diseases of their time. Therefore, there is no commandment to listen to the sages [regarding medical advice] because they only spoke from their opinion based on what they saw in their day.
Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi said that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said in the name of bar Kappara: Anyone who knows how to calculate astronomical seasons and the movement of constellations and does not do so, the verse says about him: “They do not take notice of the work of God, and they do not see His handiwork” (Isaiah 5:12). And Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From where is it derived that there is a mitzva incumbent upon a person to calculate astronomical seasons and the movement of constellations? As it was stated: “And you shall guard and perform, for it is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations” (Deuteronomy 4:6). What wisdom and understanding is there in the Torah that is in the eyes of the nations, i.e., appreciated and recognized by all? You must say: This is the calculation of astronomical seasons and the movement of constellations, as the calculation of experts is witnessed by all.
Abraham Joshua Heschel
Awe is more than an emotion; it is a way of understanding, insight into a meaning greater than ourselves. The beginning of awe is wonder, and the beginning of wisdom is awe. Awe is an intuition for the dignity of all things, a realization that things not only are what they are but also stand, however remotely, for something supreme. Awe is a sense for transcendence, for the reference everywhere to mystery beyond all things. It enables us to perceive in the world intimations of the divine, to sense in small things the beginning of infinite significance, to sense the ultimate in the common and the simple: to feel in the rush of the passing the stillness of the eternal. What we cannot comprehend by analysis, we become aware of in awe.
To attempt to reconcile the Creation story with the latest scientific discoveries is very praiseworthy. There is no obstacle to explaining the Creation [described as six days in the Bible], to mean a much longer period, even talking of an era of millions of years from the creation of man until he came to the realization that he is separate from the animals. This in turn led to the beginning of family life, in other words, “civilization”.