Can We Really Control Life and Death?

Roughly 2,000 years ago, the Talmud detailed three keys that were not handed to humanity, representing three areas where humans seemingly will never hold control. Here's the list:

The three keys mentioned in the Talmud:

"Three keys

remain in the hands of Hashem

that were not given

to a messenger [a human]

and they are:

the key to rain

the key to childbirth

and the key to the resurrection of the dead."

(Taanit 2a)

Let's unpack what this means.

The idea is that, millennia ago, it was stated that no matter how far technology advances, and no matter the depth of scientific understanding humanity achieves, these three things would always remain beyond human control. Who could affirm such a thing, and take responsibility for it, if not the Creator of the world Himself?

So let's review: these statements were made roughly 2,000 years ago. Since then, humanity has seen unfathomable scientific and technological advances. Yet even today:

The First Key - Can We Make It Rain?

"The key to rain"

(Taanit 2a)

There exists a technology called "cloud seeding." It's highly controversial, with low effectiveness—only about 15%.

Notice how each year, we anxiously monitor rainfall amounts, hoping for adequate rain. The reason is simple: rain is not under human control.

The Second Key - Can We Drive Childbirth?

"and the key to childbirth"

(Taanit 2a)

Couples struggling to conceive may turn to fertility treatments. Israel is a powerhouse in this field. Yet, the success rate is only about one in five—around 20%. In other words: childbirth is beyond human control.

The Third Key – Can We Revive the Dead?

"and the key to the resurrection of the dead"

(Taanit 2a)

Bringing the dead back to life, as we know, is not within human power.

The text is from the book "Interwoven Worlds." To download and read the chapter in PDF, click here.

The author holds a B.Sc in Physics with honors from the Technion.