Scientific Proofs and Spiritual Teachings
This page presents four series of courses by Rav Ziegler zatsal: Big Bang and Talmudic science (3 courses), life after death (2), signposts (2), which train car are we in? (2).
The scientific claims below are the Rav's, presented as the course states them.
Each course is summarized by its key points.
The Big Bang: major contradictions. According to the course, between 10 and 15 billion years are announced, but there would be galaxies older than the Big Bang itself; the monopole particle could live only 6000 years; contradictions would remain unresolved.
Key points: calculations based on the expansion of galaxies; major problem: galaxies of 15 billion years against a Big Bang of 10 billion (“how can a house built in 1950 have rooms from 1935?”); the monopole particle (Weinberg theory) has a lifetime of 6000 years at most; galaxies arranged in spheres, an unexplained phenomenon; speed of light: an unproven assumption in absolute vacuum.
Fossils: skewed measurements. According to the course, all datings by uranium, thorium and radium are invalidated; the analogy of the leaking faucet shows that the initial conditions cannot be known; only Carbon 14 would be reliable.
Key points: indirect dating, the age of the layer being given to the fossil; faucet analogy: three necessary conditions never verified; decay or formation? going up or down the staircase?; the “Florian” method would reveal there is not enough initial uranium; volcanoes 200 years old dated at 3 billion years; Carbon 14: the only valid direct measure.
Professor Vitello: 7000 years at most. According to the course, the world's greatest specialist in Carbon 14 reportedly reviewed all the fossils (Cro-Magnon, apes, dinosaurs) and obtained a table of 7000 years at most, with no older fossil.
Key points: Carbon 14, direct and reliable measure; the percentage in the atmosphere equals the percentage in the body, and after death decay is measurable; 10,000 fossils analyzed; Cro-Magnon, dinosaurs, all fossils: 7000 years at most; this figure would match the biblical chronology.
Near-death experiences. According to the course, the five stages lived by 8 million Americans: leaving the body, tunnel, attractive light, encounters and a vision of their whole life. Key points: 8 million Americans have had an NDE; 50 million people worldwide; 67% of Americans believe in life after death; the five classic stages; testimonies with objective proofs.
Moving testimonies. The Parisian jeweler who sees the heavenly court, the soldier who relives his whole life, Yossi Sarid, the anti-religious politician, who testifies. Key points: the jeweler of the Champs-Élysées; the rabbi of Netivot before the heavenly court; the soldier of Bat Yam and his intentions; Yossi Sarid on television; thousands of verifiable cases.
Are we at the end? Did the Creator leave us signs to know where we stand? Like a traveler from Haifa to Jerusalem following the signs, we have signs in the Torah. Key points: the traveler analogy; the story of the lost taxi driver and the accident; in exile for 2000 years, where are we?; the Zohar deals with the signs in Parashat Vayera; the signs are precise and verifiable.
The sons of Ishmael and the brit milah. Zohar, Parashat Vayera: G-d complains that the Arabs practice circumcision; because they practice it, they ask for a reward: the Land of Israel. Key points: the Arabs have no obligation to perform brit milah; having taken on this commandment, they ask for a reward; which one? Paradise (70 virgins); the Creator cannot give them the eternal world; instead, a share in the Land of Israel; 2000 years ago it was known that the Arabs would be waiting for us in Israel.
The 4 groups on the train of life. First class, business, economy, dining car: where are you? The 1st group seeks basic needs (eating, sleeping, surviving); the 2nd improves its living conditions; the 3rd takes a position in society (power, influence); the 4th seeks meaning: “Why do I live?” According to the course, Geneva would have the highest suicide rate: they have everything but do not know why they live. The Torah answers: what is our destination?
The danger of power, an immense mitzvah. Taking a position in society is an immense mitzvah (helping one's fellow), but dangerous: act for the public good, not for one's seat, lishem Shamayim. If done well, the Garden of Eden is guaranteed; if done badly, direct hell, no middle ground. The Rav asks “Pray for me” because it is so hard.
Quiz — Overview of the Courses
Five questions to check