Is Believing in the Heart Not Enough? 5 Points to Ponder

Everything is in Order!

Everywhere we look, in every corner and site in the world, the most striking thing is order. We observe incredible design and complexity in everything that exists, from the structure of the atom and the arrangement of molecules to the laws of nature and the structure of the solar system and the entire universe – all in impeccable order and organization.

We do not need proof that a camera was manufactured in a factory, not as a result of a series of random events. Everyone understands with simple and clear logic that an encyclopedia did not result from a printing house explosion, and a car wasn't created from the collision of iron, glass, and upholstery fabric... No one claims that any computer, even the simplest one, was made by itself, or that a cat jumping on a piano would play a Beethoven symphony...

So, how can one claim that the entire universe: the inanimate and plant life, living beings, and above all – humans and the wonderful harmony between them - which are certainly more sophisticated than a camera or a car - all these were created by chance?!

Is it conceivable that the human brain, which is more advanced and sophisticated than any computer in the world, has no designer?!

The fact that the world is built with wisdom and miraculous design is clear proof that the world was created by a super-human force (Hashem), which we, His creations, cannot comprehend even a fraction of its intelligence and wisdom.

 

All My Bones Shall Say

Throughout our lives, we learn, become wiser, and mature. Our bodies, however, grow only during the first quarter of our lives. We do not grow at the same pace all the time, and around the age of 18, our bodies stop growing. My question is this: who "informs" the bones that they should grow for a certain period and stop at a certain age? What causes the bone to "decide" to stay the same size? While the growth of the bones is monitored by the growth hormone and sex hormones, who guides them on how to oversee growth?

Notice also the pace of growth at different stages: from infancy to adolescence, the same bone grows at a crazy rate, and from around 18 onwards, it stops growing and remains the same length. What changed?  

Besides this wonder, notice the proportions: have you ever thought about how it happens that both hands, for example, grow exactly the same length? Who "ensured" this perfect match? On these questions, science has no answers.

There is no doubt that the intelligent and miraculous action of the body testifies to the Creator and His greatness!

Where Did Noah's Ark Rest?

In April 2010, a group of 15 researchers from Turkey and China discovered an ancient wooden structure at a height of about 4,000 meters above sea level on Mount Ararat in northeastern Turkey. This is exactly where Noah’s Ark is said to have landed according to the Torah: "And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat" (Genesis 8:4).

Note the findings against their precise description as written in the Torah:

In the identified structure, several rooms (cages) for different types of animals can be found. And thus it is written in the Torah: "Make the ark with rooms [partitions for each animal]" (Genesis 6:14);  

Large wooden beams separated the levels. And in the Torah: "Make it with lower, second, and third levels" (Genesis 6:16)

The length of the beams is 20-30 meters: "The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits" (Genesis 6:15). A cubit is approximately half a meter.

And I ask: how did the Torah get so many facts right?

Carbon-14 tests conducted on the finds indicated that the remains are approximately 4,500 years old, matching the time Noah lived according to the Torah. Archaeologists dismissed the possibility of them being remains of ancient settlements because evidence of human habitation was never found at heights above 3,500 meters in the area.

How did the ark get there? It is inconceivable that such a structure was brought there by people, nor is it possible to climb the mountain to such a height with giant wooden beams due to the mountain’s difficult structure and constant snow covering.

Isn't this further proof of the Torah's truth?

What Happened to Gravity?

Let's do a short exercise: raise your hand high in the air. What will happen to the hand after a few minutes? The hand will lose feeling, you'll feel "pulses" or numbness, and you'll have to lower it.

And if I ask you to stand on your head for a few minutes? Here, too, the blood will flow downward and concentrate in the brain.

To return to a normal state, you’ll have to "flip over" and stand on your feet again.

What actually happened here? The blood acts according to gravity or gravitation and moves from higher areas in the body to lower ones.

Until now, it all makes sense. Wait, then how is it possible that we stand on our feet all day, and the blood doesn't move downward in our bodies? How is it possible that our hands, which are generally extended downward, don’t "fall asleep?" Where did gravity go? More than that, when we lie on our side, stomach, or back, theoretically, blood should also flow downward. But in practice, it doesn't happen, and we function excellently without feeling any discomfort.

What's happening here? How is it that the blood flow in our body – gravity operates in a "partial" manner in our body? Rather, a perfect design and supreme kindness have been bestowed upon us by the Creator of the World.

Indeed, gravity does not bypass the blood in our bodies. Hashem, who engraved the laws of nature, established mechanisms in our bodies to overcome gravity. For example, to allow blood to flow back from the legs and hands to the heart against the force of gravity, the veins are pressurized when contracted by skeletal muscles. Additionally, veins have pocket valves that prevent blood from flowing back downward. Furthermore, the lowering pressure in the heart while it relaxes causes blood to be sucked from the veins.

Why all this? So that we can function and live healthy lives. The Creator of the world ensured a continuous and constant circulation of blood throughout the body while we stand, sit, lie down, or in any other posture essential for our optimal functioning, seemingly without "considering" a physical law like gravity!

We are unaware of the constant miracle in the daily functioning of our body, but our sages composed a prayer of gratitude for us: "...For Your miracles that are with us every day and for Your wonders and favors at all times..." 

Does Faith Require Observance of Commandments?

"I believe in the Creator of the World, I believe in my heart!" Many people say this and argue that what truly matters is to be "good people" who help others, and that's enough. They claim there's no need to exaggerate and perform commandments, "and if I don't keep Shabbat, the Creator will forgive me"...

But these people are mistaken, unfortunately, and this erroneous perception stems from their desire to remain in their comfort zone. Let me explain:

Firstly, saying is easy. For example, a guy can tell a girl he loves her, but does he really love her? How would she know if he truly loves her? If he makes an effort for her, sacrifices, and compromises for her – it's a sign that he truly loves her! True love is expressed in action – and also in refraining from action – for the other, even when it contradicts the comfort of the lover. Similarly, if we acknowledge the Creator of the World and love Him, we must act and not just declare the existing feeling in the heart...

Secondly, it's not clear that those people indeed believe. If they believe in the Creator of the World, who also gave us the Torah, then He explicitly wrote in the Torah that commandments should be kept! It's not open to our personal interpretation; we are commanded, and hence we must fulfill. For example, Hashem explicitly instructs to keep Shabbat. Why? Because Shabbat is a sign between Him and the Jewish people - it's a kind of 'declaration of loyalty' by the Jew, who believes Hashem created the world and doesn't deny Him. If so, how do they believe in Hashem and not listen to him?!

Thirdly, I wonder what distinguishes those Jewish people who "believe in the heart"? How is their Jewishness expressed if there's no accompanying action?...

May we strive to step out of the comfort zone, to each get closer in their way to the Creator, and to do His will according to His will, Amen.