Ask The Rabbi 
1 July 1995 
Issue #71
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This edition contains:
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2.  Yiddle Riddle
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Michael Davidoff of Los Angeles wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>It is hard for me to understand the fact that many relics such as dinosaur 
>bones, cave art, and rock formations are thought to exist for millions of 
>years.  I asked this to a local Rabbi.  He told me that dinosaur bones 
>were planted by Hashem to test our faith.  I do not really understand this 
>answer.  How can you explain this apparent contradiction with the Jewish 
>calendar?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Michael,

The resolution of the apparent contradiction between the "scientific" age 
of the universe and the Jewish date of 5755 years since Creation has two 
standard approaches:

1.  The scientific estimate is true, and the text of Genesis can be
    reconciled:  For example, saying that the six "days" are not really
    days, but rather six "time periods."
2.  The Jewish date is true, and the scientific estimate must be explained
    (away).

Several satisfactory explanations following the first approach can be found 
in the book Challenge and I recommend that you look there.  Since you asked 
about the second approach, I will address it.

It's definitely possible for G-d to create a world that looks older than it 
is.  Adam was created as an adult.  Observing him a few minutes after he 
was created, you would assume him to be at least twenty years old.  The 
Garden of Eden had full-grown trees laden with fruit.  According to the 
Torah text, these trees were no more than three days old.

Let's take this idea a step further:  A star 10 million light-years from 
the earth could have been created with its light already reaching the 
earth.  The star would appear 10 million years old, even though it was just 
created.

Now you're probably thinking, "But why would G-d do that?  Why create 
bones, artifacts, partially decayed radium, potassium-argon, uranium, red-
shifted light from space, etc. -- all pointing to an age which is not 
true?"

Strictly speaking, this isn't a problem.  Not knowing why G-d did something 
doesn't prove that He didn't do it.  But I'll try to answer this anyway:

The purpose of this world is to hide G-d's presence.  This allows us to 
exercise free will.  In fact, the Hebrew word for "world" -- olam -- means 
"hiding."  Evidence which "hides" the age of the universe could be part of 
G-d's general "policy" of hiding.

Now you might say "According to this we can never rely on our observations.  
Doesn't this approach negate all scientific findings?"

No.  This approach merely questions evidence that contradicts other 
reliable evidence.

Let me give you an analogy:  Suppose George is accused of murder.  We find 
his fingerprints at the scene of the crime, the murder weapon on his 
premises, and he has a motive.  The defense argues that George was framed.  
Will anyone take that seriously?  But suppose that reliable witnesses 
testify that they saw George 100 miles from the scene at the time of the 
murder.  Suddenly it becomes appropriate to take the "frame-up" defense 
seriously.

Here too, scientific observations have to be understood in light of the 
other available evidence -- i.e., the Torah.  The Jewish People were 
eyewitness at Sinai who observed the giving of the Torah (hence the term 
"observant Jews?").  For us the Torah's account of events is first-hand 
testimony.  Therefore, the idea that scientific observations might be 
misleading should be taken seriously.

Speaking of archeological finds that ought not be taken too seriously, did 
you hear this one?
Caveman 1:  Ugh!
Caveman 2:  Ugh! Ugh!
Caveman 1:  Stop changing the subject!

Sources:
Challenge, Carmell and Domb, 1978, Association of Orthodox Jewish 
Scientists, pp. 124-41, 164-75.
ibid., pp.142-49.

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                               Yiddle Riddle:

I'm too young to be Parve.  Who am I?
Answer next week...
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