Is There Truth to the Big Bang?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 137, with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

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How should we be looking at the astonishing election of Donald Trump as the next US president?

How valid is science in the eyes of Torah? The Rebbe discusses the drawbacks of science and its inability to establish absolute truths. But does that mean that science has no truth to it? How about the Torah lessons we learn from science? For example, can we assume that just like everything else in the world has its origins in Torah, the Big Bang theory does as well? Or does it explicitly and fundamentally contradict Torah?

I listened to a Wednesday night class of Rabbi Jacobson’s and am left a little confused about where we stand in regards to the Big Bang. Is it ok to draw comparisons between the big bang and tzimtzum harishon? Why are we drawing parallels instead of undermining the theory completely?

Some of the events related in Torah can be difficult for the literal-minded to swallow. Should we accept that we don’t understand all the possibilities or should we attempt to find a place for these events in our reasonable minds? Are all events in Torah supposed to be understood in a literal way?
Does everything we learn in Torah have to be taken literally, or can we say that it’s just metaphorical? If it has to be in a literal sense, then my question is, does it always have to resonate with us? For example, in terms of the sun stopping, must we explain how the whole solar system wasn’t messed with, or can we just believe that indeed it happened in a literal sense even though we cannot make any sense out of it?

How can I give my children a healthy and balanced take on dealing with money? How can I ensure that they don’t become too obsessed, calculated or worried? Too spoiled or too frugal? What is your advice for parents who don’t want their children to be too caught up in the fanfare of money?

These are among the relevant and provocative issues Rabbi Jacobson will address in this week’s 137th episode of MyLife: Chassidus Applied. Other topics that will be discussed include: follow-up to the discussions of video games and movies, befriending the accused and karbanos.

Rabbi Jacobson will also review the following essays submitted in this year’s MyLife: Chassidus Applied essay contest: “Da’at: The Key to Emotional Freedom” by Dalya Holder, “Finding Meaning in Challenging Times” by Moshe Chakoff, and “Freedom from Guilt” by Meir Kogan. These and other essays can be read online at meaningfullife.com/essays-2016.

And finally, the Chassidus question of the week: What is higher – Torah or the neshama? Some places in Chassidus seems to indicate that the neshama is higher, while others (like Tanya ch. 4) seem to suggest that Torah is higher. Please can you help resolve this apparent contradiction?
This hour-long dose of insights is meant to inform, inspire and empower us by applying the teachings of Chassidus to help us face practical and emotional challenges and difficulties in our personal lives and relationships. To have your question addressed, please submit it at meaningfullife.com/mylife.
The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:

· Chassidus Applied to Vayeira

· How should we look at the stunning results of this election?

· How valid is science?

· Is there any truth to the Big Bang theory?

· Are all events in the Torah to be understood literally?

· How to give children a healthy outlook on money

· Is G-d overlooking me?

· Video games and movies: follow-up

· Befriending the accused: follow-up

· Karbanos: follow-up

· Chassidus Question: What ranks higher – Torah or the Neshama?

· MyLife Essays: Da’at: The Key to Emotional Freedom, Finding Meaning in Challenging Times, Freedom from Guilt