Then, the Second Law of Thermodynamics – which states that the quality of matter/energy deteriorates gradually over time – precludes the universe from having existed forever.
Nature, it seems, very much attests to an Intelligent Creator as being its source. To deny the existence of God requires a serious stretch of the imagination.
Josh Greenberger
Brooklyn, NY
Editor’s Note: Mr. Greenberger is the author of The V-Bang: How the Universe Began (Cambridge International Science Publishing).
Modern Orthodox Alternative
As I read Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot’s op-ed (“Modern Orthodoxy’s Welcome Alternative,” June 21), I felt as if he knew my thoughts.
There is so much truth, beauty and excitement in Yiddishkeit that if young people who for whatever reason harbor thoughts about ditching it could be made to understand that point – and if they were fortunate enough to find a mentor who without being judgmental could explain this to them – they would remain loyal to the Torah.
It is also true that so many who left the yeshivas in Europe were torn between an uncompromisingly religious way of life and the modern world. Many of the early haskalah followers wanted to remain in the fold yet at the same time yearned for literature, arts, music, etc. Had rabbanim with vision dealt more kindly with them and tried to integrate the new disciplines into a working symbiosis with Torah, there’s no telling how many bright young Jews would have remained Torah observant.
If we would learn secular subjects in a way that shows Hashem’s wisdom in running this beautiful world, so many more frum Jews would remain in the fold.
Thank you, Rabbi Helfgot.
Marvin Yellin
Bayonne, NJ
Last Word On Israel Parade
Reader Avi Goldstein’s argument (Letters, June 28) that Orthodox groups legitimize the behavior of gay groups they march with continues to baffle me. There are many groups – such as Conservative and Reform synagogues – in the Celebrate Israel parade who march under banners representing practices most of Orthodoxy does not support, and many groups that, in turn, do not support the practices of Orthodoxy.
The marching of Orthodox organizations alongside these groups does not legitimize their practices any more than the choice of these groups to march alongside Orthodox groups legitimizes Orthodox ideology, whether on homosexuality or the role of women in society or abortion.
Sadly, both Goldstein and reader Heshy Friedman admit in their letters that they would rather divide the Jewish community than march in a parade with Jews who don’t see everything their way. That’s unfortunate.
Michael Brenner
Brooklyn, NY
Editor’s Note: We appreciate the passion on both sides of this particular debate, but having run a number of letters on the subject over the past few weeks, we feel it’s time to move on to other things. We thank all readers who wrote in voicing their views.