What do we know about the beginning of the universe 13.8 billion years ago, and why does it matter to us — as people and as Jews? What lessons can be learned (if any) from the light of the cosmic background, the light of the first stars, or for that matter from the lights of our Hannukah candles next week?
Astrophysicist Howard Smith researches, writes, and speaks about our expanding and evolving universe, its wonders and its mysteries like dark matter and dark energy, and about the ways in which modern science illuminates a spiritual message. He draws from Jewish sources from Torah to Einstein and from Jewish perspectives from Kabbalists like Ibn Gabbai, Isaac Luria and Nahmanides to philosophers like Maimonides. He shows how modern, medieval and ancient insights come together to enlighten and guide us.
Science and religion share stories about the creation and evolution of the universe and the nature of humanity. In the Jewish spirit of discussion and debate, Dr. Smith demonstrated how a dialogue between the two sheds light on ethics, free will and the sanctity of life.
Dr. Howard Smith is a Senior Astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the past Chair of Astronomy at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and is the author of “Let There Be Light: Modern Cosmology and Kabbalah, a new Conversation Between Science and Religion.” He is the recipient of excellence in teaching awards from Harvard.