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© 2020 by Rabbi Dr. Zvi Aviner

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Is Genesis compatible with Science?

 

ELKM, the Attribute of Judgment who created the world (Genesis 1:1) stands for the Absolute Truth. His Signature is Truth (emeth).  Since His  Name appears 32 times in the Story of CREATION, the Story must be true. If not, it would discredit His Name.

Well,   the only way to verify the Story of Genesis is to match it with our Scientific knowledge (assuming that Science tells the objective truth).

Now the task of verifying God’s words is not an act of heresy.  On the contrary, as we’ve learned, the First of the Ten Commandments that says “I Am Lord (YHVH) your God (ELKM) who took you out of Egypt Land” obliges us to do our best to “Believe in Him” and “Know Him” (Maimonides)  “To Believe in something” infers we may have some doubts.  “To Know” infers we are assured about it.   (For instance: I believe that the table is here, infers that I have some doubts. Saying that I know that the table is here” infers that I am sure about it.  I can touch  it or move it.) The First of the Ten Commandments obliges us to ascend from believing  to knowing that GOD  exists, as humanly possible. The RaMBaM (Maimonides) offers two roads: Study Nature and its wisdom; and study Torah and her wisdom.  Following these two roads together- he says – is the only way to KNOW or get the feeling of assurance about the existence of GOD. Let’s see it this is true.

The Story of Genesis is a good place to study Nature and Torah – as the RaMBaM suggests .  If we find Science and Moses compatible with the history of the Universe, then we would stand in real awe- who could tell Moses such a credible story 3500  years ago?

As we’ve said, the stakes are high. If we’ve discredited Genesis, if we find it incompatible with science, then we’ve also discredited Moses’ entire revelation!

But the Scientific knowledge  about the World’s history is vast. whereas the Torah story takes only a few verses.  How can we compare the two?

 Luckily for us, the History Channel (HC) has recently published  a wonderful video series named “How the Earth Was Made.”  It  presents everything we know from Science about the history of the Universe, using Archaeology, Biology, Astronomy, Geology, Anthropology and other brunches of modern science.   We will use that series, and other similar works, as a platform for our matching Genesis with Science.

The HC brags about being independent on the “biblical narrative” of Genesis. It presents an unbiased objective narrative, based on solid scientific findings. It serves therefore an ideal platform for comparing Science with the Torah (Bible)

So, let’s BEGIN!

 

 

 

 

THE FIRST DAY of CREATION

 

The Scientific Account

According to the HC, the world began with a Big Bang 13.7 Billion human years ago. That number was calculated ‘backwards’ by observing the rate by which the galaxies are moving away from each other. (Modern  calculations suggests  many Big Bangs of other Alternative Universes, like numerous bubbles floating without touch.  Quantum Mechanics adds the role of consciousness.)

Then, Science says, Entropy began to decline; Energy (electromagnetic, strong , weak  and gravitational forces) was formed. Gravity separated first, then the Strong and Weak and the Universe expanded fast. Matter and Antimatter clashed; atoms bereaved of electrons were formed creating dark plasma.  When the atoms caught electrons, they released photons.  Space  became  transparent yet pierced by Light rays.   Energy continued to be   converted to Matter   according to Einstein’s formula.  The scientists can describe what happened next by the fraction of a second.     Gas clouds consolidated in a chaotic way ,  then cooled off form primitive molecules such as Helium , Hydrogen, Lithium, then Water. Higher molecules were backed in exploding Nova.

Nine Billion years fast forward, about 4.5 Billion years ago, and Planet Earth was consolidated by Gravity.  At first, Earth appeared as a red, volcanic Planet.   Our Moon too was formed about that time either by a collision of earth with another passing planet or by another process. Melted, streaming lava covered the Earth’s surface with a temperature of 8000 F, kept high by radioactive decay of Earth’s core elements. Our Planet had no atmosphere and no life. The HC calls THE MOLTEN ROCK RED PLANET 

 

Moses’ account

Moses’ description of the FIRST DAY of CREATION seems to concur with the above description. The Universe has a “Beginning” (unlike the Greek who said that the Universe existed forever) first as singular point then expanded (RaMBaN, 12th century AD.)  Time scale began.   Tradition (Rashi) says that ELKM had built and destroyed many other Worlds before. (Kabbalah   speaks about paralleled worlds each built by a different Attribute of One CREATOR. This world was created by ELKM.)

Earth was chaotic, “tohu and bohu.” (Genesis 1:2) This  fits  the melted, streaming lava.   The verse also mentions “Darkness over the teom,  Deep” which CAN allude to Deep Space.  Moses mentions Light and Darkness, which fits the scientific story of Space. THE STROT. He also mentions Matter such as Water.

Then, Moses says, ELKM saw that it was good, and there was evening and there was morning, ONE DAY.”   This couldn’t be our day since the Luminaries would be seen regularly much later, on the Fourth Day.  The verse therefore defines ONE DAY-as the time it took CREATION to advance from the Beginning to see in it Light, Matter and Water.  Hence a Day of CREATION is a stage in the World’s history.  A Day could last many Billions of human years.

Thus, so far, the Story of Genesis CAN be matched with our Scientific narrative. Something you can’t say about the ancient myths.  Who then told Moses the story , 3500 years ago?

How extraordinary it is that Moses’ account of the Beginning does NOT involve any rivalry, jealousy. sexual perversion or violence between gods.  How different is his story from the myths told  in his time! How can any scholar count Genesis among the Bronze age myths?

But Moses adds information that Science would never say – that the Universe was created by a CREATOR Who Set on The Throne of Judgment.  Yes, the World was created to withstand a trial.

Moses also says that at the End of the Day, ELKM the JUDGE-BUILDER passed a judgment on the passing Day and saw that it was good.  His Judgment is always harsh and merciless yet just. He creates and He destroys as necessary in His eyes, according to His Plan. We don’t know the details, but some elements were deemed ‘not good anymore’ in His eyes and were eliminated.  Other elements were deemed ‘good,’ viable, capable to support the next Day so they remained.  We’ll see that shortly.

 

THE SECOND DAY OF CREATION

 

The Scientific Account

Next, the HC says, about 4.4 Billion years ago, the Earth’s temperature cooled off.  The radioactivity that had kept it hot declined, so that a rocky crust was formed on its surface. This step was crucial for bringing water onto the Planet’s surface.

Then, from 4.4 Billion years ago to 4.1 Billion years ago (300 Million years span) water accumulated on the rocky crust. Earth became Water World, completely covered by Ocean.

Where did the Water come from? The HC suggests that some waters came out from the cooling rocks “bellow” that spewed water and CO2.  Dense clouds of CO2 mixed with water arose to cover Earth.  But most water came from ‘above’, from Space.  Scientists think that Earth passed through an area in Space full of icy comets. This segment in Space is seen today. For 300 million years, Earth was bombarded with icy comets containing water. Thus some water came from Below, and some from Above, from Space.

On January 30, 1908 a huge icy comet – containing 30,000 tones of water- hit Siberia.  it caused devastation  equal to an  explosion of 12 mega tones nuclear bomb.  And that comet was just a tiny fraction of a bigger one (called Encke) with million tons of water

Once Earth escaped the Sea of Comets in Space, the watery shower ceased. Around 4.1 Billion years ago, Earth was completely covered by gushing, green-red waters (red came from iron.)  Rain continued endlessly. “Earth would never see so much rain again” says the HC.  The temperature on Earth surface was still high (200 F) and the atmospheric pressures too oppressive to allow any life on Earth.  The volcanic rocks (“pillow shaped”) did not withstand the ferocious winds and strong waves, therefore no island was stable enough to remain above the water.

Thus, 4.1 Billion years ago, Earth was a Watery World with a peculiar look. With heavy clouds of CO2 mixed with water, and toxic fumes coming from bellow, Earth looked like an oven with an endless red-green ocean. No life could exist on it yet.

 Moses Account

As the end of the First Day, ELKM said that it was good.  Conditions on earth were ripe for the next Day.  This fits well the formation of crusty surface on Earth, capable of supporting water.

And as the Second Day of CREATION dawned, ELKM “separated the Water Above from the Water Bellow.”  No Dry Land was seen yet, and no life. Not even vegetation. You see this in the verses that say

(1:6) And ELoHiM said Let it be a firmament in the midst of the Waters,
And let it divide Water from Water,

(1:7) And ELoHiM made the firmament, and He separated the Waters which were underneath the firmament, from the Waters which are above the firmament, and it was so.

(1: 8) And ELoHIM called the firmament Sky, Sham-mayim (“there are the waters”.)
And there was evening and there was morning, Day Two.

Can you find a better match between Moses and Science?

Now, how in the world could Moses tell that story?!

 

THE THIRD DAY of CREATION

 

The Scientific Account

The Watery World phase, HC says, ended 4.1 Billion years ago by volcanic eruptions at the ocean bed.  A new rock, Granite, appeared the first time.  The Granite, unlike the older rocks, could stand the insult of the ferocious winds and waves.  Granite is also lighter than the old rocks. therefore, it formed ISLANDS of Dry Land that resisted erosion.

The Granite Islands gradually condensed to form the first Super Continent Rodenia (Mother of all continents, 1.5 Billion years ago).  Its shores can be traced today by blackish rocks that are found along shores like in South Africa.  Some of those blackish rocks are 4.0 to 3.5 Billion years old.  They lack any fossil of life, not even bacteria. Those rocks were part of the Islands that later formed Rodenia.  Earth became the GRANITE PLANET.

 

 Moses Account of the FIRST PART of the Third Day

As the Third Day of CREATION dawned, Moses says,

 (1:9) “And  ELoHiM said Let the Water under the Sky be gathered together into one place and let the dry land appear, and it was so.


(1:10) “And ELoHiM called the dry land ground, and to the Water Gathering He called Seas, and ELoKiM saw that it was good “

Amazingly, Moses fully concurs with Science, saying that after the stage when waters covered Earth, God separated the Dry Land from the Sea. This matches perfectly well  the appearance of Granite Islands then the Super Continent.   How insightful it is, that Moses  mentions no life yet!

We know what other peoples in Moses time told about CREATION. No one mentions the Dry Land popping up after the Earth had been covered with water.  Who then told him this story?

 

 Seeding Life on our planet according to Science  

The Granite Islands, says the HC, had another important feature: gentle, sloping shores. .  Those shores allowed tiny mono cellular, algae like creatures – Stromatolites – to settle on the shallow waters. The Stromatolites appeared 3.5 Billion years ago, and are still seen today on remote beaches like in Australia.

The HC skips the many theories about the formation of the first living cell.  Was it a ribosom on which nucleic acids could be assembled? Was it a virus-like creature? Was it formed by chance from minerals?

The fact is that we don’t know from where and how the Stromatolites came. We only know that they were the right creatures at the right time.  They harbored all the elements of life, like a nucleus, DNA, RNA, breathing organelles and digestive system.  But they had one enormously important talent – they could perform photosynthesis.   This means they used the abundant sunlight in the shallow waters to grab CO2 and split it to Carbon and oxygen. The carbon they used for their colonies, and the oxygen they released to the shallow waters. After 2 Million years – tween 3.5 to 1.5 Billion years ago – they released so much oxygen that it changed the atmosphere. Earth acquired the Blue sky we see today.

The oxygen released by the Stromatolites also changed the ocean.   It oxygenated the water causing iron to be deposited along the shores. The oceans too became blue.  Earth became The BLUE PLANET.

The HC skips again the different cellular lines that brought the evolution.  There were tiny cells with and without nucleus, with and without cellular membranes, with or without genetic material, with or without breathing organelles. Regardless the variety, all scientists agree that life appeared on Earth at that time as a cellular creature. Those creatures began the entire Evolution. They were our “fathers and mothers,” as the HC says.

 

Kingdom of Vegetation on Earth

The Stromatolites evolved into multi-cellular creatures. This took place as symbiosis (where each cell provides the other with whatever it lacks) or as asexual and sexual growth.  Gradually the Kingdom of Vegetation appeared on Earth.   Most scientists agree that for the time being the vast Super Continent Rodenia remained a barren, dry land under a Blue sky. Vegetation could grow only along the shores.  The scientists are not sure to what extend this Vegetation evolved.  Some say it was limited to “sponges” and other tiny multi-cellular creatures, other talk about limited grass, shrubs and trees by the shores.

About 0.9 Billion years ago (900 M)  Rodenia  split into smaller subcontinents by intensive tectonic and volcanic activity.  This  promoted the Vegetation to grow.  No mobile life existed yet either on the Dry Land or in the waters. The Vegetation fertilized itself by the wind.

 

Moses words on the rest of the Third Day

After separating the Dry Land from the Sea, Moses says, ELKM ‘paused’ and passed an unusual Judgment on the items He had created earlier.  Our Planet stood on a crossroad. Would it see life on it, or not? – The details of that crucial “Midday judgment” of the THIRD Day are given in Genesis Chapters 2-5 (The story of Eden). We’ll learn about it in due course.

Any trial has two options: good and bad.  To our luck, this Midday Trial of the Third Day ended with a “good” verdict, as it is said “And ELKM saw that it was good” (Genesis1: 10.)   This meant that ELKM the BUILDER-JUDGE found conditions on Earth ready to proceed with His Plan.  A good verdict, we’ve said, meant that the Day was capable of supporting the next Phase.  Indeed, the verse say-

 (1:11) “And ELoHiM said let the Earth bring forth grass, herb yielding SEED and fruit trees yielding fruits after its kind whose SEEDS is in itself, upon the Earth, and it was so.

(1:12) “And the Earth brought forth grass, herb yielding SEEDS after its kind, and trees yielding fruits whose SEEDS was in itself after its kinds. And ELoHiM saw that it was good.

(1:13) And there was evening and there was morning, Day Three.

The term SEEDS is repeated itself four times in just two verses. ELKM seeded Life on Earth:  Grass, Shrubs then Trees, exactly as Science says about Rodenia.

 

How did the era end?

Let’s go back to the HC story.  Just as Vegetation began to proliferate nicely along the shores of  Rodenia, Earth was struck by a major catastrophe. A long, devastating Ice Age hit Earth.  This happened 0.7 Billion years ago and lasted 50 Million years. It decimated all Vegetation on Dry Land, yet left intact the Vegetation in the Sea. This would be crucial for next phase.

What caused the Ice? Some scientists say that Rodenia had become so big that it blocked the warm currents in the oceans.  Others blame it to a change in the tilt of Earth’s axis. The freezing began at the poles then spread over the continents.  Earth became a SNOW BALL flying in space.

 

Moses account of the End of the Third Day

At the end of the Third Day, ELKM passed a judgment on all He had created earlier on that Day.  ELKM’s Judgment is always harsh yet just.  He builds, and He destroys as He deems necessary according to His Plan. He gives life, and He takes life away in absolute Justice (with no Mercy).  Creatures that do not fit the coming Day, the next Floor of the Six Floors Building, He terminates. Creatures that would fit and support the next Day, He would allow to stay and adapt.

Thus, at the end of the Third Day, ELKM passed a judgment on all the creatures that were created earlier, namely the Vegetation.  Would they fit His Plan for the next Day?

This Judgment fits the Ice Age.  ELKM, in His Wisdom, eliminated the Vegetation on Dry Land – they had already fulfilled their task.  He allowed, however, the Vegetation in the Waters to stay on, since they would provide and support the next, Fourth and Fifth Days.

Remember- ELKM is harsh yet KIND.   As a BILDER, He would eliminate creatures  only if this would help the introduction of higher creatures on the ladder of Evolution.

The Ice Age wiped out all life on the Dry Land of Rodenia, yet left the Vegetation under the Sea as a base for the future.

 

 

 THE FOURTH DAY of CREATION

 

The Scientific Account

The HC says that the Ice Age lasted 50 Million years (from 0.7 to 0.65 Billion years ago.). Vegetation on Dry Land was eradicated, yet it survived in the Ocean.  The tilt of Earth’s Axis was stabilized, and with it the annual seasons appeared more regularly. The Moon’s rotation around the Earth stabilized too, establishing the length of days and nights.  The tides appeared more regularly.  All these changes would be crucial for the next phase.

 

Moses’ Account   on the FOURTH Day
Again, Moses concurs with the above. After the THIRD Day trial was over, ELKM said that it was good.  Inferring that condition were ripe for the next Day.

As the Fourth Day dawned, ELKM ordered the luminaries to be SEEN on earth in a regular fashion so that a calendar could be established by them, as it says:

“(1:14) And ELoHiM said let there be luminaries in the firmament of the Sky to divide the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons and for the days and years.
(1:15) And let them be for lights in the firmament of the sky to give light upon the Earth, and it was so.
(1:16) And ELoHiM made the two great luminaries, the Greater luminary to rule the day, and the smaller luminary to rule the night, and the stars also.
(1:17) And ELoHiM placed them in the firmament of the Sky to give light upon Earth.
(1:18) And to rule over the day, and over the night, and to divide the Light from the Darkness. And ELoHiM saw that it was Good.
(1:19) And it was evening and it was morning, a Fourth Day.

According to Moses, as the Fourth Day dawned ELKM caused the luminaries to be seen regularly from Earth.  So regularly, that the length of the annual seasons were fixed, as well as the length of days and night.

Can you find a better match between Moses and Science?

How remarkable it is that Moses does not mention any mobile life yet on Earth. Who told him such an accurate story, 3500 years ago?

 

 

THE FIFTH DAY of CREATION

 

The Scientific Account

The Ice Age ended 650 Million years ago (0.650 Billion) by extensive volcanic eruptions all over the world.  Tectonic activities split the old Super Continent into many sub continents that moved away from each other (the cycle of condensing then separating the continents would repeat in history several times.)  The Volcanic and Tectonic activities warmed up the Oceans. It also spewed lots of nutrients into the waters. All these changes and more promoted Mobile Life to appear the first time and boast in the Oceans (Cambrian Period.)   .  Warms, then Fish to its kinds appeared in abundance. .

The scientists try to explain how this happened.  Many changes that had occurred on the Fourth Day, helped the Mobile Life to appear in the water. For instance, the regularity of days and nights brought the Vegetation in the water to adapt and develop a daily circadian cycle.  They learned to shut down their activities at night, and open up at daylight.  This turned crucial for the next step- nervous system for Mobile life.  Any nervous system needs the ability to switch from sleep to be awaken.

And water, of course, is more conducive for Mobile Life than Dry Land.  In the water, nutrients float and are more readily available. The water temperature is more stable than on Dry Land.

By 500 Million years ago, the ocean “exploded” with myriad kinds of creatures. “The Earth would never see again so many species in the waters,” says the HC.   “Fish” of all kinds and shaped appeared in the water.  There were small fish, then big  Fish that preyed on the smaller ones. The term Fish here stands for all sorts of life in the water.  The struggle for life began in the water. Creatures with weird shapes appeared. They developed the first teeth, the first smelling organ, the first eye, the first skeleton, legs, tail. Creatures learned to mascaraed and fool the predators, as well as their own prey. The “Animal Kingdom came to Earth in the sea,“ says the HC.

In sharp contrast, life on Dry Land was prohibited by heavy, lethal UV Sunlight radiation. But that changed too.  Around 500 M years ago, the sky developed enough Ozone that shielded the Dry Land.  This allowed the Vegetation to crawl onto the Dry Land followed by Mobile Life.

 

Let’s pay attention to the steps.  First came on board the Vegetation that formed huge swamps filed with small and tall trees.  Most of our coal comes from that era (Carboniferous Period). Next appeared huge Lizards and Insects to their kinds, that helped to spread the Vegetation. Some Lizards leaned to fly.  They developed long fingers and broad skin in between that allowed them to fly very efficiently.  The best natural flying machine was a lizard two stories high, that could fly 15,000 miles non-stop.  They did not have feathers.

The tides that had developed on the Fourth Day worked as spring board for the Lizards. According to the Discovery Chanel, the tides brought all sorts of creatures on shores. Among them creatures with legs. Over the next many million years, they either invaded the inland, or developed “wings” from their legs to fly over the swamps.  Insects of weird shape and size came along. They were followed by huge Crocodiles and other amphibians.  Other “fish on shores” developed Wings with Feathers, allowing them to hover over the water to catch other Fish.

About 300 Million years ago, Earth took a special look. Large swamps full of trees were seen all over the surface. These swamps were rich with million sorts of lizards, snakes, flying dragons, flying large and small insects, crocodiles and fierce birds that ruled the sky and dived into the water to catch giant Fish.  The Crocodiles preyed on the Birds. The Birds developed ultra-sharp sight that helped then to scavenge the land. (Ordovician Period.)

This is what Science says.  Let’s see now what Moses says about the era.

 

 

Moses’ Account of the FIFTH DAY

Let’s read carefully what Moses says about the transition between the Forth and the Fifth Days. At the end of the Fourth Day, ELKM passed a judgment on the Day and said that it was good. This meant that conditions on Earth were ready for the next Day. The Seasons were steady and fixed. The length of days and nights were fixed.   The Vegetation in the waters were fixed.

Thus, as the Fifth Day dawned, ELKM said:

“(1:20) And ELoHiM said: The waters shall teem with swarms of living creatures  

And Flying creatures shall fly over the land and over the Sky’s firmament

 (1: 21) ELKM created the large Crocodiles

And all the living souls that crawls, with which the water teem

And every particular species if winged flying creatures

 Let’s go over the categories of creatures created on Day Five.

First were “waters teem with swarms of living creatures” – Here is the first time ever that Moving, Living Creatures are mentioned.  Moses does not speak about “fish” but rather Mobile Life in the waters, to their kinds.  This fits well the scientific narrative about the birth of moving creatures in the waters

Next, Moses mentions creatures that can fly over land.  It may refer to lizards and other creatures that found themselves on shores due the tides; then developed the talent to fly.  Some became the best flying creatures ever. It can refer also to flying insects small and large.

 Next, Moses mentions amphibians and crocodiles, that invaded the inlands and the swams

Next, Moses mentions birds that had wings- with feathers- that ruled our Planet.

Moreover, Moses adds that “ELKM blessed them all saying Be fruitful nd multiply and fill the waters in the seas and the birds shall multiply on land”

This Blessings fit well the abundance of Fish to their kinds, and Birds to their kinds, that were so typical for the era. Earth would never see such an abundance of species” – says the HC

Can you find a better match between Moses and Science?

 

How did the era end according to science?

 The era of swamps and insects and crocodiles and flying dragons could have continued, says HC, had not Earth been hit again by a major catastrophe that eliminated 90 percent of living creatures.  It happened 250 million years ago.  A chain of fiery explosions exploded all over Earth and killed Vegetation and Animal. “Earth would never see such a devastation again” says HC.  For a moment, it looked as if life on Earth was doomed, .

What caused the fiery explosions? – No one knows for sure. There is an evidence that huge toxic gas bubbles came out from under the tectonic plates and exploded in the air.  Such bubbles have been seen also recently in India and Siberia.

Though most of life forms were decimated, yet the catastrophe opened an opportunity for higher life-forms to develop – such as Cattle and Beasts.

 

What does Moses say about the end of the Fifth Day?

As before, ELKM passed a Judgment and said that it was good. As before, His Judgment is harsh yet just. A creature that He deems Not Good Anymore would be eliminated, whereas those whom He deems good would be allowed to stay into the next Day.

At the end of the Fifth Day’s Judgment, ELKM eliminated all the creatures that used to be good but would not fiit the next Day. They would not fit His Plan for the next Day. He therefore eliminated them with no Mercy.

This Judgment CAN fit the fiery explosions that terminated 90% of life on Earth, yet allowed other creature to enter the next phase.

Since Moses did not learn modern science, who in the world could tell him the story?

 

 

THE LAST, SIXTH DAY of CREATION

 

The Scientific Narrative

The fiery explosions that happened 250 Million years ago caused Earth to enter a new phase.  The surviving creatures actually blossomed. The remnants of Rodeniah consolidated again and formed the last Super Continent, Pangaea.

Pangaea was the classical world of the huge pre-historic creatures that roamed the Earth (Triassic and Jurassic Periods). The air was rich with nutrients spewed by the volcanic activity and the temperature was tropical.  That induced Vegetation to grow even taller and thicker than ever before.  The Ozone layer too thickened, shielding the animals  from the Sun’s radiation. The new animals grew with no hindrance.

Life of all kinds exploded. Large leaf-eaters, Cattle-like creatures occupied the swamps, their fat bellies and short legs supported by the shallow warm waters.  They could not run fast.

Soon followed huge beasts like predators that could ran fast and feed on the Cattle-like.  Among them the Dinosaurs, some tall as “a seven stories building.”

This too ended by another catastrophe.

 

Moses’ account of the SIXTH DAY

As the Sixth Day dawned, ELKM continued to create like ever before. Thus-

“(1:24) And ELoHiM said let the Earth bring forth living creatures after their kind,
Cattle and Creeping things and Beast of the Earth after their kind,
and everything that Creeps on Earth after their kind, and it was so.

(1:25) And ELoHiM made the Beasts of the landto its kind, and theCattleafter their kind,
and everything thatcreepson the Earth after their kind.

And ELoHiM saw that it was good

.
ELKM created Cattle-like, Beast-like then Creeping things.  This concurs with the scientific account mentioned above.

But what about the Creeping creatures? Had they not been created earlier on the Fifth Day? We’ll return to that question soon.

 

The end of the era according to Moses

Then, while the Sixth Day was in progress, ELKM passed a premature, Midday Judgment.  Usually He would conduct His Judgment at the End of a Day.  A Midday Judgment meant an urgent, crucial judgment. Hence at the Middle of the Sixth Day, Earth stood on a crossroad, on a judgment.  Would it see Adam on it, or not? (Such an urgent, crucial judgment was also done before, on the THIRD Day prior to SEEDING Life on Earth.)

To our luck, ELKM was Pleased and He said that it was good. This meant that some creatures would be terminated. Others which He deemed good would be allow to stay on.  They would fit the next Day or adapt into it. – and bring Adam.

 

What does Science say about the Dinosaurs’ demise?

The proliferation of Cattle- Like and Beast-Like creatures on Pangea came to an end by a major catastrophe that hit again our planet.   This happened around 75 million years ago.  Some say that aa huge meteor plunged into the sea near Mexico and arose so much ashes and radiation that suffocated large and small creatures.  Other say that a series of gas explosions killed the animals. Whatever it was,  the catastrophe decimated the pre historic creatures yet  opened up the door  for other creatures, including Mammals, to grow.  

 

What about the Crawling Creatures? Moses mentions them as the last giant creatures that once ruled Earth before the catastrophe.  Then came Man. How could that be?  Crawling creatures had been around since the swamps of the Fifth Day!!

And for a while I was really puzzled.  But then came Time Magazine and saved my faith in Moses.  How? The magazine published a picture of a huge snake’s skeleton recently found.  So large it was that it could accommodate two Greyhound busses side by side.  And this was a skeleton of a young snake!

The Time magazine explained that after the demise of the Dinosaurs, the room was opened for snakes to grow.  For many million years after the catastrophe, these snakes crawled all over and consumed everything on their path.  They really ruled Earth for long time. Some giant snakes actually lived in caves side by side with humans, hence the legends of Dragons.

 

Conclusion

 

We could not make the above comparison between Genesis and Science without the notion of the CREATOR as a BUILDER-JUDGE who gives life and takes it away with no mercy, yet in absolute justice and truth.  Had you  replace the Hebrew ELKM for G-d, the entire message of Genesis would be gone.

Can anyone Believe in God or Know that He exists for sure? There is a Commandment to reach that level of faith. Maimonides has shown that one can reach that goal by learning Science and Torah.

Genesis Chapter One provides us an opportunity to fulfill Maimonides’ wish. We have compared Science with Genesis ND HAVE FOUND THEM SURPRISINGLY VERY COMPATIBLE.

The Story of CREATION as told by Genesis is a living miracle in our hands. We stand in awe realizing how extraordinary it is.  How unbelievable it is that 3500 years ago a person named  Moses wrote an account of CREATION that fit and matches and fully concurs with our most modern Science.

And if Chapter One of Moses Books is so credible, surely the rest of his words are.

So next we ask, does Moses also concur with Science about the creation of Adam?

 

END OF IDOLATRY CLASS 8

 

 

 

 

 

The Torah is a living miracle

 

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