The Doctor Fighting Evolution: "I Want Everyone to Understand It's Absurd"

When Dr. Shlomo Kapach, an expert in internal medicine, was in the process of his medical studies, he frequently encountered the theory of evolution, which was mentioned repeatedly in the textbooks.

"In those days, I was not a believer," he recounts, "and I treated evolution as an axiom, an undeniable fact. There could be questions about it, but the only question permissible was: 'How did it happen?' rather than 'Did it happen?', as it was supposedly clear that evolution had occurred, and nobody tried to doubt the theory because it was undisputed.

"Even today," notes Dr. Kapach, "I know that universities and faculties view the theory as a proven fact, and most scientists believe in evolution. There are indeed some researchers who admit it's impossible, yet they still continue to believe in it themselves..."

Seeking the Truth

Dr. Kapach's journey to religious observance began over 30 years ago. "It was thanks to my wife," he recalls, "we heard about different lecturers coming to our area, and my wife suggested we attend their lectures. My wife noted that they would be discussing science and Judaism, a subject particularly close to me, but I dismissed it outright — since when do rabbis understand science? Only after she asked repeatedly did I agree. I attended the lectures and listened intently. Initially, I was surprised by the things they mentioned and asked in amazement: 'How do they know?' I doubted some of the proofs they cited, but when I checked the details afterward, I realized it was all entirely credible. During that period, I listened to lectures by Rabbi Tzvi Inbal and Rabbi Shalom Severnik. They clarified my doubts, and I had no more excuses."

Dr. Kapach's transition to religious observance was very gradual. "I strengthened myself step by step, and over time I observed more and more. *Baruch Hashem*, today I reside in a Charedi community in Rechovot and consider myself an integral part of the observant world."

Until the moment he decided to change his lifestyle, he researched many different subjects, deciding to share his discoveries with the public. This motivated him to write several books, including a medical book (on ECG) intended for students and rescue teams, as well as a pamphlet on smoking aimed at young yeshiva students who begin smoking. In it, he brings forth quotes from rabbis of all sects, epochs, and backgrounds, through whom it's evident that smoking doesn't align with a genuinely observant lifestyle.

Later, Dr. Kapach released 'Evolution Tested,' a book that challenges the theory of evolution. Recently, the book was reissued in a new edition with various additions.

"I wrote 'Evolution Tested' primarily during long reserve duty periods," he explains. During this entire period, I accumulated a great deal of material and felt it was my mission to document it. I felt compelled to write it because I understood that just as I believed in erroneous and false information for years, due to the lack of someone to present me with the correct information, there might be others like me who are willing to listen to logical and mathematical arguments regarding the theory, and if I present them with the right answers, there's a chance I could help them."

The Goal: To Eliminate Ignorance

The arguments Dr. Kapach presents in his book are primarily based on intellect, mathematics, logic, and probability. "Before I give examples, I'd like to explain a bit about the theory of evolution," he says, "because the theory of evolution is a work of an English researcher named Charles Darwin, who traveled the world researching various species of animals. He tried to find a way to explain the existence of so many animals whose internal structures are similar. After many years of travel, he published his research and his claim that animals gradually evolve, transitioning from simpler forms of life to more complex forms. This is how he attempted to explain how the Creator made the existing animal diversity, for Darwin himself was a religious man."

Darwin? A religious man? Isn't he considered one of the greatest unbelievers?

"Indeed, he was. Darwin himself was a devout religious man, and the theory he presented was only intended to explain the Creator's way in the world. However, he was followed by 'students' and other researchers who warmly embraced the theory for a variety of reasons, not necessarily scientific, and they presented it as a scientific alternative explaining, supposedly, how the world of life evolved.

"These researchers and thinkers claimed that the universe was created by itself without supervision through a natural and random process. This process included many stages and spanned a long period. All the matter appeared at once from a point of infinite density, described for illustration purposes as a 'pea' (the Big Bang theory), and then cooled over time to form stars, solar systems, and countless galaxies, leading to the formation of the earth. Thus, further stages took place, including a pre-life stage, after which simple life forms appeared and turned into complex ones through upgrade and refinement in miraculous to wondrous ways. Eventually, these life forms evolved into a creature resembling an ape, whose descendants developed into chimpanzees and concurrently — humans."

This sounds absurd and improbable... Does science still support these theories today?

"I am aware that some claim the entire scientific world abandoned these theories, as they have become outdated and improbable. But no. The theory prevails in large parts of the scientific world, and very many scientists, including Jewish scientists, and maybe — especially Jewish scientists, unfortunately."

How can you explain that there are thousands of scientists, intelligent and educated people, who think it's true?

"During World War II, numerous scientists from Nazi Germany banded together and constructed an entire project to contradict the theory presented by Einstein at the time, which gained world fame. They named the project 'One Hundred Scientists Against Einstein.' When Einstein heard this, he wondered aloud: 'Why one hundred? If I'm wrong, one scientist will suffice...'

"What I'm trying to say is that the fact that there are numerous scientists who think and relate to things this way does not have the power to make the theory true. Moreover, there are definitely quite a few world-renowned scientists at the forefront of the modern scientific world, some of them Nobel Prize winners, who clearly state that this theory is unfounded; it is considered correct only because there is no other alternative, and not only is there no proof of its validity - there are claims and even clear evidence disproving its assertions."

And is the book intended for people not yet convinced?

"Not exactly," he surprises. "The book is meant for intelligent people who are ready to listen. The book isn't for people who believe in evolution and are sure of its righteousness because, as I have realized over the years, the most intelligent people do not act according to their intellect in most cases but rather according to emotion. So even when they are presented with conclusive evidence, they continue to believe in the rightness of their path."

Nonetheless, Dr. Kapach says that he hopes if these scientists or people who support evolution come across the book, they will consider their belief more rationally. "I'm not trying to convince them to believe in commandments or that *Hakadosh Baruch Hu* created the world. That's a different field altogether. What I want is to prove unequivocally — that evolution is illogical, since it's scientifically impossible, and much of it is imaginary. Evolution stands on weak legs and does not deserve the title 'scientific theory.' I'm sorry that this theory could give a bad name to true science, which is tested and proven."

No Probabilistic Chance

What is the strongest argument you present in the book?

"It's hard for me to answer that because everyone connects to a different argument and claims it's the strongest, but in my view, what's more important than anything is the issue of probability. Probabilistic researchers determine that a probability smaller than 10 to the power of minus fifty is practically impossible.

According to complex calculations that I quote in the book, it turns out that the chance of random formation of DNA is ten to the power of minus one thousand (the result is zero point followed by a thousand zeros). This calculated probability is far-very-very-far from the realm of possible, there's no practical chance that the DNA would form by itself, and if so — this is enough."

Another conclusive proof, notes Dr. Kapach, falls under the category of 'absence of fossil sequence.' "According to evolution, researchers claim that if we examine the fossils, we'll find thousands of transitional forms because, according to them, the world developed in such a way — initially, there was material smaller than a virus, which developed over time into a larger creature — paramecium, frog, fish, and so on until it reached apes and finally humans. According to this claim, we should see thousands of transitional forms in the fossils, yet the more fossils searched for, the more it's evident how few transitional forms exist. This completely refutes the theory. Of course, there are other proofs, but what I mentioned are things that can't be contended with at all.

"It should be noted that Darwin himself said that if no transitional forms are found in the future, his theory falls apart. About 160 years have passed, and the expected transitional forms have not been found. So even if he were alive, he would admit that his theory falls.

"And by the way, when speaking about transitional forms, there's also the more significant issue under the question — 'how did the soul evolve?' After all, the initial hypothetical DNA didn't possess a soul, and thus evolution believers inevitably must reach the conclusion that there is no soul."

Dr. Kapach notes that the items he brought up here are just a few examples from the book, which contains countless examples and many proofs. By the way, Professors Yirmiyahu Branover and Doron Orbach, both world-renowned scientists who read the book, gave their comments and recommendation. "Also, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi HaCohen Ben-Porat, one of the greatest thinkers of our generation, who reviewed my book thoroughly, gave his comments and even wrote a warm letter of recommendation," he notes.

"I devote considerable time to writing and delivering lectures on this subject, and I hope that indeed I will succeed in eliminating doubts among the uncertain and confused, and inspire Jews to the service of Hashem and complete faith, and to distance disbelief that stems from a lack of knowledge," he concludes.

To contact Dr. Kapach: drkapah@gmail.com