The German Biologist's Admission: "How Much Wisdom Is in Your Torah!"

The year is 1987. In a large auditorium at Tel Aviv University, a guest lecturer, a professor who came specially from Germany, is giving a presentation at a biology conference. The biologist's name is Aloys Hutterman and his reputation has preceded him, ensuring a huge turnout at his lecture.

Towards the end of his lecture, Hutterman begins a general overview of the interconnected relationship between species living in nature: "Take, for example, water insects, frogs, and other similar creatures that are essential for controlling the mosquito populations in bodies of water, as they all feed on mosquitoes. If, heaven forbid, frogs and water insects were to decline or die out, towns and cities located near bodies of water would be overwhelmed with endless swarms of mosquitoes.

"And now consider," the biologist continued, "birds of prey. They are responsible for the 'natural' disposal of carcasses. Humans bury their dead, but who will deal with the thousands of carcasses of animals that die in nature? Carcasses are breeding grounds for disease, and this is where birds of prey step in to clear and clean out the environment.

"The hunting birds, those that prey on fish and pluck them from the water, are responsible for disposing of sick fish. There are also birds that eat insects and rodents.

"In the rodent category, there are some we couldn't manage without – burrowers that eat pests, some that eliminate snakes.

"In fact, we are surrounded by an entire army of animals that ensures our safety and welfare. And here you are, the Jewish People – in your Torah there is a remarkable passage, if I'm not mistaken it's called 'Parashat Shemini.' In this passage, the Torah prohibits eating all these species I've just mentioned. Yes, precisely the species responsible for eliminating pests and dangers – you Jews don't touch them, it's forbidden to eat them, and therefore they continue to play their role without the threat of extinction hanging over them. How much wisdom there is in your Torah...!"

One of those present at this lecture was Rabbi Moshe Grylak who documented the event in one of his articles.