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1001 Inventions Exhibit at the California Science Center

rabbifink — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:11:07 +0000

We did a family trip to the California Science Center at Exposition Park in Los Angeles yesterday. The museum is nice, albeit a bit outdated. Such is the fate of any museum that has exhibits of the latest and greatest in technology. Cell phones were a new obscure invention according to the exhibit on technology. Even better was the section describing how phone lines are not fast enough for video conferencing. Hehe.

Anyway, the highlights of the museum are the Hubble 3D IMAX movie and the temporary exhibit called 1001 Inventions. The IMAX was incredible. It told the story of the Hubble telescope and some of its most incredible discoveries. It was really powerful to see the beauty and seeming infinite scope of outer space. The 3D images of galaxies and galaxy clusters trillions of light years away is awe-inspiring. The 3D glasses, 9 story screen and excellent sound system make you feel like you are traveling through space. Simply remarkable.

1001 Inventions is an international project that demonstrates some of the technological marvels and advances contributed by the Arab world in the Middle Ages. In a time that is stereotyped as the Dark Ages in Europe, much “light” was found in Arab countries. Hundreds of ideas and inventions are part of the exhibit. It is modern and compelling and I really enjoyed it.

Socially, the exhibit attracted many Muslims and I found pleasure and inspiration exploring the exhibit side by side with devout Muslims.

Politically, I can anticipate that there are those who will object to the exhibit simply because it portrays Islam in a favorable light. It has become en vogue for social conservatives and progressives to battle over the imagery of Islam in America. Some people find it harmful that Islam be portrayed as peaceful or beneficial to society. Others bend over backwards to ignore Islamic extremism and oppression in Arab countries. I don’t think either of those approaches are wise or prudent, but that is neither here nor there.

When examining the exhibit through those lenses I think the exhibit was fair. It only spoke to technology and medicine and the scholarship within the Arab word during the Middle Ages. I think this is an message for Arabs and non-Arabs in 2012. It is important for non-Arabs because it reminds them (or informs them) that there is a rich history of wisdom and forward thinking in the Arab world. We need to be thankful for their contributions to society. It is important for Arabs because in its current iteration, it seems as thought the Arab community is mired in backwards thinking. Technology and progress are not priorities. Thinking and scholarship are not priorities either. Advances are not coming from the Arab world at the same rate as they come from Asia, Europe or America. It would be great if this exhibit inspired a return to scholarship and innovation that contributes to the good of the world community. With such a rich history, I would imagine reinvigorating efforts for progress would be natural.

The second take-away from the exhibit that I had was that it tried to show that relations between members of different religions were not always contentious. The best proof of this was the only non-Muslim or Arab with a prominent place in the exhibit. That would be the Maimonides display:

I found the description of Maimonides fair and positive. It might be a bit understated though. I think Maimonides was even more of an iconoclast than he is given credit for in the panel. A video accompanied this panel and went a bit more in depth than the panel. In general, I was very pleased that Maimonides was included in the exhibit.

I am sure that some will find nefarious intentions in his inclusions. Something along the lines of the “Muslims are stealing Maimonides” or something like that. But I think that is misguided and wrong. The text clearly says that he was a Jewish doctor. Most importantly, the text notes that he helped people of all faiths. Indeed, this is one of the legacies of Maimonides.

The exhibit is worth seeing if you are in LA or one of the other locations. If you have seen it, I am interested in your impressions of the exhibit.

Link: 1001 Inventions

Torah Archeology is Kosher?

rabbifink — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:52:47 +0000

For centuries, a segment of orthodox Judaism has shunned science. It has been viewed as heretical and anti-Torah. When confronted with seemingly irreconcilable differences between science and Torah, the orthodox Jewish view is to choose Torah. So why bother with science if it will just cause theological problems?

This groups self identifies as Charedi Judaism. Charedi comes from the word חרד which means to fear. It is supposed to mean “fear of Heaven”. I have joked that it also means “fear of science” or “fear of progress” or “fear of education”.

Ha’aretz writes that a couple weeks ago, a Torah Archeology conference took place with the approval of Charedi Rabbis. While not entirely embracing the conclusions of archeology, the conference presented a view of archeology that is entirely compatible with Charedi Judaism. The artifacts are used to illuminate the Torah and its interpreters. But never used to challenge them.

Certainly this is a fine line to tread and one that this community has been reluctant to tread for centuries. But it seems that at least a small portion of them and their leaders are prepared to embrace Torah Archeology.

This is wonderful news.

It is all part of a broader effort to [slightly] modernize the Charedi system to include improved education and prepare Charedi adults for a less insular life. The article in Haaretz quotes Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveitchick (who I do not know nor do I know his Charedi credentials) as saying that science and Torah can and should be reconciled. He even mentions the “E” Word. He says that evolution is not a problem for believers. He should tell that to the anti-evolution ideologues in America…

The money quote from Rabbi Soloveitchik:

“We’re all Haredim who are guided by the fear of heaven, but that’s not a reason to be afraid of science. The Haredi fear of science is gradually dissipating.”

It all sounds revolutionary to me and we shall see if it will catch on. I am afraid that this movement will be banned and its participants ostracized as has happened in the past.

But the truth is, that this was inevitable. Insularity and “protection” from modernity can only work so long as that insulation and protection are absolute. But once there are cracks in the wall, the floodgates are open. It is impossible, in 2011, to maintain that level of rigorous insularity. The Internet and free flow of information changed all that. It is what inspired revolution across the Middle East this past year and it is certainly what is fueling this trend toward science that is being alleged in this article about Torah archeology.

There are cracks in the walls of insularity. It is impossible to stop it. It is impossible for Charedi Jews, it is impossible for fundamentalist Muslims and Christians as well.

Christopher Hitchens has written and talked about the modernization of religion. In today’s day and age, it seems impossible to avoid. Adapt or disappear.

It seems that the Charedi world is getting ready to take that step.

Link: Ha’aretz

Go To The Ant, Sluggard, See Her Ways And Become Wise (Proverbs 6:6)

rabbifink — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:35:53 +0000

The book of Proverbs has so many great lessons for life. One very well known lesson is that we can learn from so many people, animals and things useful tools for life. The ant provides a great lesson in industriousness. An ant can lift things many times more than its body weight. Ants work hard and don’t rest.

A great message to the lazy person is to look to the ant for inspiration.

Recently, scientists have discovered something else that we can learn from ants.Ants have been recorded performing “helpful acts”. So far, only dolphins, capuchin monkeys and now ants act in this way.

In a sophisticated scenario, ants were able to learn a new skill with an unfamiliar barrier to rescue fellow ants. The ants would not rescue other types of ants or insects. You can read about the whole thing here.

This gives a whole new meaning to learning from the ant. We can also learn how important it is to save each other. How vital it is to feel such a connection that we go to great lengths to rescue one another.

Rescue is not limited to a guy stuck under a huge boulder or a drowning swimmer. Rescue means to be concerned with all parts of another’s life. In America we are taught to mind our own business. This is true to an extent, but when someone needs help or assistance or guidance we need to learn from the ant and provide it.

In U.S. law there is no duty for a bystander to help someone in need. Not criminally and not civilly (there are a few notable exceptions). The ant doesn’t believe in that. The ant goes to great lengths to help it’s trapped liege.

This issue has come up recently in the Orthodox Jewish community. If you know what I am talking about, great. If you don’t that’s fine too.

My point is, we need to learn from the ant. We cannot sit by idly when our brethren are suffering and crying for help. We are responsible to each other and have a duty to act when we see injustice and unnecessary suffering. It is time to pull back the sheet and at the cost of exposing wrong-doers, save and rescue the one’s who need us most.

V’hamayvin, yavin.

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