The Torah/Science Controversy

The Science of Torah
Mysterious Creatures
The Camel, the Hare, and the Hyrax

In 2004-2005, three of Rabbi Slifkin's books were banned as heretical by a large group of distinguished rabbinic authorities from the Charedi (ultra-Orthodox) community. The ban was rejected by Rabbi Slifkin and his mentors, and prompted a widespread backlash. This webpage links to a collection of resources concerning this controversial ban.

1. About the Books
2. About the Ban
3. The Issues: Torah and Science
4. The Process: Rabbinic Authority and Book-Banning
5. Condemnations, Critiques, and Responses
6. Effects of the Controversy and Related Events
7. Commentary in the Media

1. About the Books ↑ Back to top

General information about the books and purchasing details
Letters from readers about the books
Endorsements for the books from Rabbi Aryeh Carmell, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky, Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, and Rabbi Chaim Malinowitz
Reiterations of support by Rabbi Aryeh Carmell and Rabbi Chaim Malinowitz
The Books and their Endorsements: Rumor control

2. About the Ban ↑ Back to top

An account of events
The original poster (in Hebrew), first put up on erev Yom Kippur (PDF format)
The article that appeared in the Hebrew edition of Yated Ne'eman (JPEG)
The article that appeared in the English European edition of Yated Ne'eman
(Please note that much of the information contained therein is false, as described on the "rumors" page.)
The second poster, in Hebrew and in English
Clarification of Rav Elyashiv's position
The Ban: FAQ

3. The Issues: Torah and Science ↑ Back to top

General Response
List of Sources
Freedom to Interpret by Rabbi Aryeh Carmell
Letter from Rabbi Mordechai Gifter, late Rosh Yeshivah of Telze, on the age of the universe
"Ma'amar Mevo HaShemesh" - A booklet (in Hebrew) by Rabbi Pinchas David Weberman, editor of Sefer Hatekhuna of R Hayim Vital, which "proves" that heliocentrism is heresy.
This is not directly related to the ban on the books, but it is highly relevant to the issues being discussed. The author's argument is that there is no traditional basis for this model and that the consensus of the Acharonim was to reject it as heresy. In this he is quite correct; nevertheless, the heliocentric model of the solar system is valid.
Rabbi Zev Leff (audio recording from 2005)
Rabbi Jeremy Wieder (Rosh Yeshivah, RIETS): "When the Torah Doesn't Mean What It Says: Non-Literal Interpretation of Scripture and the Controversy over the Works of Nosson Slifkin" (Audio recording, 12 meg)
B'Toraso Shel R' Gedaliah - the complete book of Rabbi Gedaliah Nadel's teachings, which include his discussion (and acceptance) of the antiquity of the universe and evolution. 4.2 meg PDF file.
Torah and Science: FAQ and Rumor Control

4. The Process: Rabbinic Authority and Book-Banning ↑ Back to top

General Response: Why I am not obligated to follow the ban
Rabbi Berel Wein on Book-Banning
An essay from Rabbi Dr. Leo Levi, printed in the Jewish Observer
"Authority and Wisdom: The Slifkin Affair" by Rabbi Benjamin Hecht
On the Manipulation of Rabbis by Zealots
Slifkin, Salem and the Senator - a sharp sociological analysis of the ban
In Defense Of My Opponents - An essay by Rabbi Natan Slifkin (PDF)
Postscript to the above essay (PDF)
A letter describing a real situation revealing how contemporary rabbinic authority works in the charedi world
FAQ and rumor control

5. Condemnations, Critiques, Responses, And Apologies ↑ Back to top

6. Effects of the Controversy and Related Events ↑ Back to top

Letters received - a very valuable insight into the varied effects of the ban
EJF's Conversion Requirements - an anonymous report on how a new organization, Eternal Jewish Family, which seeks to place all conversion to Judaism under its authority, wishes to disqualify those who accept modern cosmology from converting to Judaism and from serving on a conversion Beis Din.

7. Commentary in the Media ↑ Back to top

The New York Times: Religion and Natural History Clash Among the Ultra-Orthodox
The Wall Street Journal: Is Darwin Kosher?
The Forward: Orthodox Rabbis Launch Book Ban
Ha'Aretz: The Rabbi who wrestles with crocodiles
The Scientist: Evolution Meets Judaism
Moment Magazine: The Heresy of Nosson Slifkin
The Jewish Chronicle (UK): 'Zoo Rabbi' accused of heresy
Atlanta Jewish Life: Animal Instinct
New Jersey Jewish News: An animal-loving rabbi seeks to reconcile science and Torah
The Canadian Jewish News: The Torah, Science and Intellectual Debate
The Jerusalem Post: Perish the Thought
The Jewish Chronicle (UK): The Rabbi Dangerous Enough To Ban
The Jewish Press: The Slifkin Torah-Science Controversy: An admittedly biased insider's perspective
Articles and Debate in the Jewish Press (Microsoft Word Document)
The Controversy: FAQ and Rumor Control

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