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A Sicha
of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach
on Science and the Era of Moshiach
The Zohar states that in the 600th year of the 6th millenium (1840 c.e.)
"The gates of wisdom above will open and the fountains of wisdom below
and thus the world will be set to enter the 7th millenium" (similar to
the opening of the windows of heaven and the fountains of the earth in the
600th year of the life of Noah, bringing the flood). The opening of the
gates of wisdom above refers to the extraordinary revelations in Chassidus
at that time especially the publication of the works of the Alter Rebbe,
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chassidus. The fountains
of wisdom below refers to the new discoveries in science and the
development of new scientific theories. It is clear how the revelations in
Chassidus are a preparation for the Era of Moshiach when "the world
will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem" (this is the subject
matter of Chassidus), but what role do the developments in the sciences
play in preparing the world for Moshiach?
The Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, discusses three ways in which the sciences
prepare the world for Moshiach: Firstly, by using the technology derived
from the sciences. For example, communication technology can be used to
spread knowledge of Hashem (Torah) throughout the world. The Era of
Moshiach is characterized as a time when "The earth will be filled
with the knowledge of Hashem." The electromagnetic waves which carry
knowledge of Hashem over radio or TV bring this information not only to
listeners and viewers all over the world, but even to places where there
are no listeners, since the electromagnetic waves spread throughout the
whole world. Thus these broadcasts actually fill the world with the
knowledge of Hashem.
In describing the unique character of the knowledge of Hashem in the Era of
Moshiach, the Prophet Isaiah says, "All flesh will see that the mouth
of Hashem has spoken." i.e. that G-dliness itself will be visible. The
second way in which modern science and technology prepare us for the Era of
Moshiach is by enabling us to visualize certain concepts relating to Hashem
which would otherwise be understood only abstractly. As an example, the
Mishneh in Avos tells us to be aware that there is "an eye that sees
and an ear that hears" above. Now that we are familiar with
communication technology which transmits audio and video signals across the
world so that people can be seen and heard instantly on the other side of
the world, it is easy to comprehend - to actually visualize - the
omnipresent watchfullness of Hashem.
On the deepest level, the sciences themselves - the theories developed and
the knowledge derived - prepare us for the Era of Moshiach in a third way:
The ultimate knowledge of Hashem that will be revealed in the Era of
Moshiach is the absolute unity of Hashem. But the world as we perceive it
appears to presents an opposite picture of reality - many different forces
of nature and many different substances. In the last 150 years, however, it
has been shown through scientific research that the various forces of
nature are just combinations of a few basic forces and the various
substances in the world are built from a few basic elements, thus showing a
basic unity in the world from the perspective of science. (Likutei Sichos
vol. 15, 2nd Sicha on Parshas Noach).
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