What Does Science Think About Hashem?

When examining what the founders of science thought about Hashem, we discover that they inferred the existence of a Creator from the wisdom revealed through scientific research. Not only scientists, but the pioneers of every known scientific field concluded the existence of Hashem. Significant figures like the father of astronomy - Galileo Galilei, Copernicus, the father of chemistry - Antoine Lavoisier (and Justus von Liebig), the father of biology - Louis Pasteur, the father of genetics - Gregor Mendel, the father of mathematics - Pythagoras (and Blaise Pascal, Henri Poincaré), the father of physics - Isaac Newton, the father of modern physics - Albert Einstein (and Max Planck), the father of technology - James Maxwell, the father of the Renaissance - Leonardo da Vinci, the father of philosophy - Socrates (and Plato), the father of logic - Aristotle, the father of modern philosophy - René Descartes (and Immanuel Kant), John Locke - one of the greatest philosophers, George Berkeley - one of the greatest philosophers, Gottfried Leibniz - an important mathematician and thinker, Søren Kierkegaard - one of the greatest philosophers and "father of existentialism", Johannes Kepler - one of the greatest astronomers, who formulated "Kepler's laws" in science, Michael Faraday - the greatest experimentalist in the history of science, and many other key figures in the history of science.

We see that the greatest geniuses in the world of science reached the same conclusion, that there is a Hashem, and so did the great inventors: the inventor of the electric bulb - Thomas Edison, the car inventor - Karl Friedrich, the airplane inventors - the Wright brothers, the microscope inventor - Fritz Zernike, the first scientific telescope inventor - Galileo Galilei whom we mentioned.

Is science moving towards Hashem?

As science progresses, it continues to uncover more and more design, reinforcing the conclusion of a Designer. In the past, it was believed that the sun revolved around the earth, but today we know that the earth is actually part of a harmonious and wonderful solar system, where the earth revolves around itself, the moon revolves around it like a satellite, and that the earth has magnetic fields, an ozone layer, and an atmosphere that allows life. The delicate axis of the earth (23.5) allows for the seasons, while Jupiter attracts asteroids that would naturally destroy life on earth. We know about the wonders of the earth that do not exist on other stars, and about the marvelous universe with the delicate parameters that enable our existence.

As we learn more about the world, the conclusion of Hashem's existence becomes stronger. In the past, the universe was thought to be static (eternal) and now we know it had a starting point, which implies a Creator. The living cell was once thought to be simple jelly that forms by itself, but now we know the smallest cell is more complex than the entire city of New York. The existence of a Creator is an inevitable conclusion from the scientific data revealed to us. The development of microscopes has allowed us to peek into a small world on the tip of a needle. As science progresses and deepens, it discovers more and more detailed and intricate designs than we had previously thought. For example, in the past, the human brain was seen as a lump of fat, identified by ancient doctors as a kind of stove regulating the body's temperature! Only thanks to scientific advancements could we discover the miracles of the brain that contains millions of fibers working in harmony and electrical genius, allowing the body to function, move, and speak. We see that as science advanced, it only deepened and sharpened the inevitable conclusion, in light of the existing design.

Do you need to be a scientist to understand there is Hashem?

As we have seen, the greatest scientists from every scientific field concluded there is Hashem, and rightly so. Yet, one does not have to be an "Einstein" or have supernatural vision to understand that there is a Creator of the world. Even a child can honestly look at the world around us and reach the natural conclusion that there is a Creator of the world. The existence of a Creator is irrelevant to the question of whether the Creator made the world over millions of years or created living beings through the process of evolution - because in any case, we clearly understand that there is a Creator of the world who created the universe and man with wisdom and precise intention. A Creator must exist in every scenario; this is an inevitable conclusion from observable science and the most straightforward logic.

Firstly, we must understand that the conclusion of the Creator's existence has been prevalent in the world for more than 4000 years and shows no signs of fading. As science progresses, it only reveals more and more complexity in existing structures. This logic is as eternal as human existence. It is unthinkable that science would discover there is no Creator after such complexity has already been observed, just as it is unthinkable that science would discover there is no sun after the sun has already been observed. To deny creation, one must deny all the scientific knowledge we possess, all the complexity, and all the findings indicating very high intelligence. And that is an impossible thing in reality.

A rational person must manage their life according to the knowledge available to them. You have the fact that the world is designed, the fact that the world was created, and hence the logical conclusion that there is a Creator of the world. You have the history of the Jewish people, and from this, you have a fact about the divine revelation of Hashem. These are facts, and even if it were possible to doubt these facts, we must adhere to these facts and believe in them because that is what makes us rational individuals.

You ask, what if we are wrong? In the same way, one could ask, what if we are wrong and the world is truly flat? What if we are wrong and little people live on the moon? The answer is that if there is no reason to doubt our knowledge, we should not doubt it. Do you doubt your parents are indeed your parents, just because of the technical possibility that you might be adopted? Certainly not, so why would you doubt the existence of a Creator of the world when the facts shout that there is a Creator?

Furthermore, your very ability to conclude about a divinity beyond the material is in itself a proof of the divine power within you, proving your importance in the eyes of Hashem, who gave you the ability to connect with Him. You can conclude the existence of Hashem - because Hashem Himself gave you the ability to do so.

Does the atheist have straightforward logic?

Straightforward logic provides a sense of confidence in life, which cannot naturally be said for the atheist who denies the existence of Hashem. Imagine an atheist reaching the next world, and Hashem asks him: "Was the world I created not complex enough for you to deduce my existence? The greatest scientists are considered geniuses only when they understand a little of my wisdom, and you thought my entire creation was the result of blind chance? I gave you straightforward logic, so why didn’t you deduce what was expected of you as an honest human being? Why did you believe this world was created by chance, and formed out of nothing? Why did you deny your mind?"

The atheist of course would not know what to answer, because all the philosophies and sophistries in the world cannot stand before such straightforward and simple logic (search Google for the words "fatal conversation" and enjoy a similar dialogue between an atheist and Hashem).

I can live with a quiet and confident heart because I know I did the right thing, and I was honest with myself and my mind until the end. That is what provides confidence in any situation - inner honesty. That is all that is asked of you in this world, to be straightforward and true to yourself, and thus you will attain the truth.

Of course, a visual perception is not the same as hearing. Therefore, you should seek out the religious experience, the personal experience in life, that will grant you emotional confidence. Even after hearing all the research in the world that sports benefit health, you won't know how much energy and health it adds to your life until you practice it yourself. The Torah leads you to the truth, but the commandments and prayers draw you closer to Hashem and allow you to experience His providence personally.

The Torah starts with the intellect, but then offers devotion of the heart: "Know this day and take it to your heart, for Hashem is the ruler" (Deuteronomy 30:39).

Once it has been clear to you with your mind how true the Torah is, continue and strengthen now in the faith of the heart, you can devote more prayers to the Creator of the world, occasionally seclude yourself and speak to Him in your own words, perform commandments for the sake of heaven with love, and of course - daily read books of ethics. Only in this way will you strengthen your emotional connection to the truth, and experience Hashem through your soul. Good luck!