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The Science behind the Mishnah
318 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 19, 2024
The Vilna Gaon stated that one’s Torah is deficient without a deep understanding of science and math. He urged his students to study these subjects. In recent years, I have spoken with one rabbi who thinks the world is flat, and another who denies heliocentrism, and brings scriptural proofs for a geocentric model.
These rabbis might want to peruse The Science Behind the Mishnah (Mosaica Press) by Rabbi Joel Padowitz and Rabbi Jonathan Sassen. In this engaging read, the authors detail the science detailed within the mishniot in Masechet Berachot.
The authors write that science is pervasive in Masechet Berachot. The first Mishna opens with a discussion of the recitation of Shema. This can only be fully understood after discerning what part of the day it is. But doing that requires understanding atmospheric conditions, how light refracts, and more.
Comprehending all of Masechet Berachot requires an understanding of physics, chemistry, general and human biology, and earth sciences. At under 300 pages, this book is far from a comprehensive discussion. However, the authors effectively provide a high-level overview of the science behind the Mishna.
The next volume in this series is on Masechet Shabbat, which also includes a significant amount of science. In fact, one is hard pressed to find a single masechet that does not require scientific knowledge.
Albert Einstein said, “If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” Both authors have a deep background in science and remarkable talents in explaining many scientific ideas clearly and lucidly. The many illustrations add to this book's immense value.
These rabbis might want to peruse The Science Behind the Mishnah (Mosaica Press) by Rabbi Joel Padowitz and Rabbi Jonathan Sassen. In this engaging read, the authors detail the science detailed within the mishniot in Masechet Berachot.
The authors write that science is pervasive in Masechet Berachot. The first Mishna opens with a discussion of the recitation of Shema. This can only be fully understood after discerning what part of the day it is. But doing that requires understanding atmospheric conditions, how light refracts, and more.
Comprehending all of Masechet Berachot requires an understanding of physics, chemistry, general and human biology, and earth sciences. At under 300 pages, this book is far from a comprehensive discussion. However, the authors effectively provide a high-level overview of the science behind the Mishna.
The next volume in this series is on Masechet Shabbat, which also includes a significant amount of science. In fact, one is hard pressed to find a single masechet that does not require scientific knowledge.
Albert Einstein said, “If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” Both authors have a deep background in science and remarkable talents in explaining many scientific ideas clearly and lucidly. The many illustrations add to this book's immense value.
December 23, 2024
The first thing one notices the quality of the production of the book: color coded chapters, nice big font, heading and subheadings, beautiful, clear color photographs and figures that illustrate the science, a combined index and glossary, and, of course, rabbinic approbations.
Delving into the content, the information is presented clearly and reads more like a conversation than a science textbook. The last chapter, about "Mountains, Hills, Seas, and Rivers," exemplifies the style of the book. It reminds the reader why Jews say a special blessing on seeing mountains, hills, seas, rivers, and deserts, and enlightens him about the forces of nature that cause weathering and erosion.
This book also brought back not so fond memories of science books in my children's school that had pages ripped out or pictures or text marked through with Sharpies because of "objectionable content." I am hoping this book will be used in those schools, so that Jewish children can learn about and appreciate science.
Delving into the content, the information is presented clearly and reads more like a conversation than a science textbook. The last chapter, about "Mountains, Hills, Seas, and Rivers," exemplifies the style of the book. It reminds the reader why Jews say a special blessing on seeing mountains, hills, seas, rivers, and deserts, and enlightens him about the forces of nature that cause weathering and erosion.
This book also brought back not so fond memories of science books in my children's school that had pages ripped out or pictures or text marked through with Sharpies because of "objectionable content." I am hoping this book will be used in those schools, so that Jewish children can learn about and appreciate science.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews