Jul

6 2023

Puzzles and Solutions in Science and Torah

10:45AM - 12:00PM  

This Federation event takes place at Knesset Israel 16 Colt Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201

Contact Rabbi Daveen Litwin
4134424360
dlitwin@jewishberkshires.org

This presentation by TorahFlora botanist, author and teacher Jon Greenberg, PhD will challenge you to question the idea of a hopeless conflict between Torah and science. Come learn about the surprising ways that many apparent contradictions between these two ways of thinking have been resolved. We'll look at a wide variety of examples, including a strange Biblical metaphor that compares loving children to olive trees, questions that archaeology, genetics, and the science of gravity have raised about the etrog used on Sukkot, matzah baking and the laws of Passover, the blessing said before eating mushrooms, and the meaning of a Talmudic passage about the supposed effects of several bizarre folk practices on learning and memory. 

Dr. Greenberg is devoted to biblical ethnobotony to better understand the Torah.  He received his doctorate in agronomy from Cornell University, and has studied with Rabbi Chaim Brovender at Israel's Yeshivat Hamivtar.

This free program is part of the Federation’s Connecting with Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $3 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.

Masks are optional.