[Avodah] Torah Metaphors and Science - Kanfei Nesharim

[Richard Wolpoe]

On Nov 20, 2007 5:34 PM, Zev Sero <zev at sero.name> wrote:

> 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.


good catch



>  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


Indeed, we can see that a difficulty in taking a phrase literalyl can caus
us to look at it metaphoricall which is my point

My follow up question - do we punt to Metaphor allegory ONLY  when we MSUT
or even if it simply makes a lot more sense?  IOW, how far must we be pushed
to abandon a literal read?


> -
> > 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


My point was that R. S. Gaon posits that progressively over time more
mitzvos will be unerstood rationaly [sichliyos] unil they all will be
self-evident

The question: likewise - can parhsanus be improved over time with a greater
understanding of technology etc.?


-- 
Kol Tuv / Best Regards,
RabbiRichWolpoe at Gmail.com
Please Visit:
http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/
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