The
Finger of G-d
Adapted
from a speech by Rabbi Shloime Ezagui
Seeing
G-dliness in the world has never been easier
The
Rebbe writes in his letters that the function of a Torah institution is to
demonstrate the connection and unity between the physical world and Torah. As we
approach the time when the whole world will see this unity of truth, the times
of Moshiach, the Rebbe said we must simply open our eyes and we will see how all
is already in place for the unraveling of this actuality.
In
this spirit I write the following article, where I will attempt to show how
recent modern discoveries are no more, than principles laid out for us in the
Torah thousands of years ago. I will try to demonstrate that if we really make
an effort, we can see how the world is heading more and more – albeit
unknowingly – in the direction of Hashem’s eternal words in the Torah.
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107
billion pieces of first class mail were delivered by the U.S. postal service in
1998. How about 4 trillion, the approximate number of e-mail messages that were
received by U.S. residents in 1998. By the way, do you have any idea of the
difference between a million, billion and trillion? A million seconds is 11
days, a billion seconds is 33 years, and a trillion seconds is a whopping 34,446
years!!
Do
you know how many cells comprise a human body? 100 trillion cells!
Most
of these 100 trillion cells have a nucleus that contains a complete set of the
bodies’ blueprints. These blueprints are twisted in 46 packets called
chromosomes. Unravel a chromosome and you get a long thread-like molecule called
DNA. Within the DNA are the blueprints called genes for making proteins. The DNA
molecule has a twisted, ladder shaped structure, the famous double helix. The
genetic code can be read in the rungs of the ladder. Four chemicals, spelling
out the code. A pairs with T, G pairs with C, to form the rungs of the ladder.
Just
for some added numbers: There are about 100,000 genes in a human body, 3 billion
chemical pairs in our DNA, 10 billion or more neurons in our brain, 10 million
biochemical beacons, and we haven’t even touched the surface.
Imagine
for a minute going to a factory with over a million different machines in it.
Each one perfectly coordinated with the other to produce a beautiful product,
again, again, and again. Now someone tells you that the whole factory happened
by accident –not only this factory, but also the one next to this factory,
etc., and the product it produces is also part of that unplanned coincidence.
Ludicrous.
Yet
when considering the human body, which has, as modern scientists tell us, over
100 trillion components, and should, G-d forbid, only one of these cells go
haywire, this could cause a terrible illness, we overlook the fact that it is
totally illogical to think that all this was not put together by a super-mind
for some positive constructive purpose.
While
it’s true that just about every cell in the body has the instructions to make
a complete human being, most of those instructions are inactivated when becoming
the organ they end up being, with good reason. The last thing you want is for
your brain cells to start churning out stomach acid or your nose to turn into a
kidney. The only time cells truly have the potential to turn into any and all
body parts are very early in a pregnancy, when so-called stem cells have not
begun to specialize.
That
is why the Torah tells us we can pray for having a boy or a girl before the 40th
day of pregnancy, while there is still a chance to direct the course either way.
Doctors not long ago discovered this same date, as the time when the chromosomes
result in the baby’s gender.
If
doctors could isolate stem cells, then direct their growth, they might be able
to furnish patients with healthy replacement tissue. The same applies to
cloning, which is really just the other side of the coin. True cloning, as for
Dolly the sheep two years ago, involves taking a developed cell and reactivating
the genome within, resetting its developmental instructions to a pristine state.
Once that happens, the rejuvenated cell can develop into a full-fledged animal,
genetically identical to its parent. The ability to reset body cells to a
pristine, undeveloped state could give doctors exactly the same advantages they
would get from stem cells: the potential to make healthy body tissues of all
sorts and thus to cure disease.
Many
people may be asking what does all this have to do with Yiddishkeit,
Chassidus and Moshiach. The answer is everything imaginable.
Hasn’t
Chassidus revealed to us – and the Rebbe repeated many times – that we
should not accept outer limitations but delve deeper into the source, the
omnipotent Ein Sof. Science is now thinking in exactly these terms.
When
Moshiach comes there will be a revelation of truth. No more will the world
conceal over the deeper truth and reality of existence. Then, when Moshiach
comes, all will see that everything comes from Hashem and is constantly animated
and energized by Hashem. When Moshiach comes we will see that all is Hashem,
and the possibility for anything to happen was always around us.
Rashi
says on the pasuk "Sh’ma Yisroel," listen Yidden, the
"Hashem Who is our G-d," in the times of Moshiach, He will be accepted
as "Hashem Echad," the only one and true G-d. "Ba’yom
ha’hu yiheh Hashem Echad," Achdus Hashem, the unity of
His existence, that all is Hashem. Then it says, "u’lavdo sh’chem
echad," everyone will worship the oneness of His existence.
So
until those days, just before Moshiach comes, it’s written "toameha
chaim zachu," we taste this divine manifestation of truth and
revelation of Hashem’s achdus and unity. As it says, "Hashamayim
mesaprim," the Heavens reflect the signature and imprint of its maker.
This we see today, more than ever.
For
this taste and awareness of Hashem in all of creation, we have always seen the
number four, which is the name of Hashem, Yud Kei Vav Kei, through which
everything was created, reflected in so many essential areas of creation.
The
four spiritual worlds Atzilus, Briah, Yetzira, Asiya. The four essential
levels of creation domem (inanimate objects) tzomeiach (
vegetation) , chai ( living creatures ), medaber (human beings).
The four ways to interpret Torah, Pardes. The four Books of the Shulchan
Aruch, the four klipos, four parts of the davening, the
four letters of Hashem’s name, which, through different combinations, give
life to every hour of the day, etc.
Now
comes modern science and discovered what we have known for thousands of years.
There are basically four essential elements that constitute the essence of all
matter. Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Torah already told us, that at
the essence of all existence there are four elements. The element of afar (earth),
mayim (water), eish (fire), and ruach (air).
At
the core of these above mentioned four chemicals there is the DNA of all living
tissue. Four components that pair into two. Exactly like Yud & Hei,
Vav & Hei, the source of all creation and the potential for
all. By the way, Torah and Chassidus already tells us zachar u’nekeiva bara
osam. Everything at all levels, comprises of a pair, mashpia and mekabel,
a giver and receiver.
DNA
the physical blueprints and basis to life, literally reflects the name of Hashem,
the source and the root, which created all and is all.
In
these last days of Galus, Hashem in his kindness is showing us
technicalities of his world, so we become convinced of His finger b’derech
ha’teva, in natural ways. In all that happens, the unbelievable wisdom
of Torah. Even in Galus Mitzrayim, Egypt, it came to a point where the
Egyptians themselves recognized Etzba Elokim, the finger and interaction
of Hashem in what was happening.
We
see now more than ever through DNA the achdus in all of creation. All of
creation is essentially a united existence with one imprint on all of it, the
four components, reflecting the four letters of Hashem.
The
DNA is shaped like a ladder and double helix, reflecting its source, the
"rungs" of Seider Hishtalshlus. Accordingly, the stairs of the Beis
HaMikdash, the source for all energy in this world, were spiral!
The
real core behind DNA, the four letters of the name of Hashem, may be reached
through the four parts of t’filla. Every letter of the davening
is like another strand of spiritual DNA. It is no wonder then to consider how
careful the Rebbe is in pronouncing every letter in davening.
The
Rebbe tells us so many times not to be satisfied with teva, nature, which
is only a limited superficial expression of something much deeper. We can and
must reach deeper to the true source, we must open our eyes and see how the
opportunity for this is all around us, so we can experience Yetzias Mitzrayim,
a redemption from all the self-imposed constraints and limitations, and so we
can taste the Leviason, Shor HaBar, and Yayin HaMeshumar, which
are already here before us.
If
we study well the blueprint of creation, Torah, we will find the answers to all
that we need. The basic principles and rules to all fields of knowledge are in
Torah. The advice in Torah can never run counter to nature.
Today
more than ever as we begin to hear, see, and experience the days of Moshiach
that is becoming more and more obvious, let’s seize these last days and do our
share so that we are not one of those that will be sorry for not having taken
full benefit of the Galus days.
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