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#2108410
Menachem Shmei
Participant

@Reb Eliezer, RE Torah’s approach, in addition to the Rambam’s position that the sun revolves around the earth, see ספר התכונה of Reb Chaim Vital (prime student of the Arizal) where he has an entire section proving that Copernicus’s opinion that the earth revolves the sun is complete מינות ואפיקורסות.

https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=22193&st=&pgnum=116

Now, if there would be definite scientific proof that the earth revolves around the sun, we might have a problem. However, any modern day scientist agrees that there is no way to prove which is the correct way.
The reason why the Copernicus model is so widely accepted is because it makes the entire system much simpler to explain.
(for example, google: pressconnects earth revolves around sun)

Why must we be דוחק to say that the Torah wasn’t literal when it fits perfectly with the science?

See also the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s 2 letters to a “secular” Jew who was in shock and disbelief to hear that the Rebbe held that the sun revolves around the earth:
no outside links
(if the link doesn’t go through, google: Rebbe sun revolves around earth)

(Excerpt from his letter to the Rebbe: “It is however, more than obvious to me that the Rebbe will not, in any way make such a ridiculous statement, because: (a) he does not wish to be labeled as a fool. (b) he himself is not as foolish as some of his ardent but hypnotized followers.”)