[Avodah] Torah Metaphors and Science - Kanfei Nesharim

[Zev Sero]

Richard Wolpoe wrote:
> Given:  the Torah uses the image of "vo'eso eschem al kanfei nesharim..."
> Translation: I will lift you up by the wings of eagles and bring you to 
> me...

Vo'eso is past tense.  "I carried you on eagles' [or griffon vultures']
wings, and brought you to Me."  It's about Yetzias Mitzrayim, not about
the future redemption.  And Yetzias Mitzrayim did not involve air travel
of any sort, avionic or avian, natural or miraculous.  Thus the "kanfei
nesharim" *must* be understood metaphorically, as Rashi does - that
Hashem protected us from the Mitzrim as a nesher protects its young,
by interposing its wings between them and danger.

Your question might better be put about the prediction that in the
future redemption we will be gathered back to Eretz Yisrael "with the
clouds of the sky", loosely based on the pasuk that Mashiach will
arrive in that fashion - "va'aru, im ananei shmaya kevar enash atei"
(Daniel 7:13).

Note, however, that not only is the passuk talking about the Mashiach,
not about the exiles, but it says "*with* the clouds, not *on* them.
I see no reason whatsoever why flying on an aeroplane would not be a
complete fulfillment of this passuk.


> Questions:
>    7. Are we actually progressing in seeing the Torah as more rational ?
>       [think of Rav Sa'adyah Gaon!]

Ironically, it's RSG who associates this passuk with kibbutz galiyot
rather than the Mashiach himself (http://www.aharit.com/C-08.html)

-- 
Zev Sero               Something has gone seriously awry with this Court's
zev at sero.name          interpretation of the Constitution.
                       	                          - Clarence Thomas