Zoos

Whoa, let’s not make this thread into a war about evolution with personal insults being tossed back and forth. I believe the subject has been covered extensively elsewhere, so we pretty much already know where everyone stands.

Yes, the Baltimore Zoo is great. I was there several times as a child. The aquarium in Baltimore is also well maintained and the variety of sea creatures there is astounding. I no longer go to zoos, aquariums, circuses etc. on principle, but I still remember those two as holding my attention for long spans of time. I also know secondhand that the zoo in Yerushalayim is amazing. I live so close to the zoo that I can sometimes hear the animals at night (no danger of revealing my identity; there are hundreds of teenagers living in my building!) One of my friends volunteers twice a week with the birds; she loves it. If you’re going to go to a zoo, that’s the place to be.

and as such evolution by definition is Keneged HaTorah.

I noticed you didn’t complain when I said that I was descended from prehistoric wolves. 🙂

The Wolf

Sigh.

I really don’t want to turn this thread into a debate about evolution, since it’s not the main point of the thread. Let’s just say this:

I think we can agree on the fact that not every word of the Torah is to be interpreted absolutely literally. I suspect you would agree that Chava was not the literal mother of all life (including lions, tigers and bears — oh my!). I think you’d probably agree that HKBH does not have a hand in the literal sense.

I’m also pretty sure that we can agree on the fact that there is far, far more to Berashis 1:1 (and the rest of the parsha) than a simple, literal reading would indicate.

What we don’t necessarily agree on (and, in fact, what I’m pretty sure that we vehemently disagree on) is exactly what *must* be read literally and what *can* be interpreted differently. In addition, while we would probably disagree on just what the meaning behind the simple, plain reading of Beraishis is.

Does that mean that I think you’re wrong? No, it doesn’t — in fact, I don’t know the answer. Is it possible that animals evolved for millions of years (including man-like primates) with HKBH creating a brand new “model” of man? I suppose that’s a possibility. Is it possible that Gosse is correct? Yeah, it’s possible (even if I don’t agree with it). IOW, there are plenty of possibilities out there that can conform to the Torah (provided you don’t hold to a completely literal and simple reading of Beraishis — which I don’t think you do.)

So, what does this mean? It probably means that we have to agree to disagree. I’m willing to admit that I don’t have all the answers to the origin of the universe and of life on this planet. I never claimed to. Nor do I claim to know the ultimate truth that the Torah reveals on the subject.

If you want to discuss evolution, perhaps another thread would be best suited for that. This all started because one careless poster chose to make a joke about a user’s name. Let’s put this topic back in it’s place — the zoo. If you want to discuss evolution, abiogenesis or anything else, I’m more than willing to do so in a thread dedicated to that topic.

The Wolf

Wolf,

In a nutshell, are you actually stating that you believe there is a shred of a possibility that human being (you) descended from an ape or some other non-human being?

i didnt think darwin was serious i was just chepering

Joseph,

It looks like the mods didn’t like my post. We’ll have to continue this privately via email, I suppose. Feel free to email me for my response.

The Wolf

They must know each other from the Zoo.

lol why what’s your name? yaakov wolf? or is it moshe or yosef?

oh my bad. just checked it out. lol not interested in a blog to find a husband – i’m ok single at the moment… :}

lol why are you more worried than i am? just to ease you’re anxiety: even if i get old, i’ll never be a maid :} feel better now?

hey i never said i don’t wanna get married. but i’m not desperado and i’m not gonna flip for some guy just cuz i NEED to get married. he’ll come when he’s sent. i highly doubt i’m gonna meet him online.

you are mistaken.

joseph, mistaken about what?

and asdfghjkl – that’s the clue. now what can you deduce from that?

rusty, more than just approx.

brook: once and for all, how old are you? Please tell!

abcd, please don’t force her to embarrass herself. you never ask an alte maidel her age! for shame, where are your manners?

me? embarrassed? that’s a new one! (except for new threads, of course… :})

brooklyn19: just tell us!!! tell us please your real age!!!! i’m 26!!!

joseph: spill it too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

joseph thanx i like to be funny

Joseph: why do ya talk about your secret life in the cr to your friends????

abcd, sounds like the number after the “+” is bigger than the number before the “+”

23

Nah, not a chance, Joseph. Sorry to disappoint you. I’m actually younger than asdfghjkl. So I guess that kinda puts brooklyn and I in the same age bracket. What do you say to that?

no way! I say around 20

so now guess my age