1. About the Books
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
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
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 Weider (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
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) NEW
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
Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's letter of condemnation in English and in the original Hebrew, and a response by Rabbi Gil Student.
Rav Moshe Shapiro's letter of condemnation and responses
Speech of condemnation by Rabbi Uren Reich at the Agudath Israel convention
Letter of condemnation by Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, and a letter written in response
Letter of condemnation by Rabbi Aharon Shechter, co-signed by Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky
Video of Rabbi Aharon Schechter at Bnei Yeshurun in Teaneck, March 2006, addressing Rabbi Slifkin's books and the topic of creation NEW
Letter of condemnation by Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef
An article by Rabbi Aharon Feldman seeking to justify the condemnations, and some responses
Letter of condemnation by Rabbi Shlomo Miller of Toronto, and responses
Creationist Condemnations: Dr. Jonathan Ostroff
Letter from Dr. Nachum Klafter to Rabbi Dovid Feinstein
Response to Rabbi Yaakov Segal's critique of The Camel, The Hare and the Hyrax
Rabbi Moshe Meiselman's critiques, and a response
Responses to the Jewish Observer
Rabbi Zev Leff apologizes for his condemnations of the books and other writings of Rabbi Slifkin (audio file)
6. Effects of the Controversy and Related Events
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. NEW
7. Commentary in the Media
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
If you would like to contact Rabbi Slifkin, write to zoorabbi@zootorah.com.
If you would like to subscribe to the ZooTorah essay series/ newsletter, please e-mail essays-subscribe@zootorah.com.
