„That even if it were to become clear to us that the order of creation…”
„That even if it were to become clear to us that the order of creation proceeded by way of the evolution of species, there is likewise no contradiction whatsoever—for we count according to the plain meaning of the Torah's verses... And the Torah certainly concealed matters in the account of creation, and spoke in hints and parables, for everyone knows that the account of creation is among the secrets of the Torah.”From Igrot HaRe'iyah, Vol. I, Letter 91
On this day 161 years ago, Charles Darwin published the book 'On the Origin of Species,' about evolution. The reflex of many in the Torah world in the face of this theory was to crown it as heresy. Rav Kook, although he was not unequivocal regarding evolution specifically (and even said that over the years matters would become clearer), did make a most important statement of principle, which rests upon the Sages.
The significance of the acts of creation is not necessarily historical testimony. This is not an invention of Rav Kook; the Mishnah already says, 'One does not expound... the account of creation before two,' and the meaning is that the secrets contained in the account of creation and in the story of creation are deeper than a historical story. And so write many commentators, and so writes Rav Kook: 'Because it is not at all the essence of the Torah to tell us plain facts and events that occurred.' The Torah, in the story of creation, conveys to us values, truths, foundations for a world that serves God. Their purpose is to teach us a way, not history. And science—it can conjecture what actually happened in God's world at the creation of the world.
And evolution itself? On the one hand Rav Kook says that there are questions upon it, and falsehoods and imaginings, and that it is important that we ask the questions and investigate and clarify; but on the other hand, in Orot HaKodesh, Rav Kook refers to this theory and writes of it thus: 'The theory of evolution, which is now increasingly conquering the world, is suited to the world-secrets of the Kabbalah more than all other philosophical theories. Evolution, which proceeds along a course of ascent, provides the optimistic foundation in the world...'
The bottom line is that Rav Kook explains that we must be attentive. God planted in reality, in nature, and in the world many secrets, alongside the secrets planted in the holy scriptures.
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.