Classical Rabbinic Teachings
The vast majority of classical Rabbis believed that God created the world close to 6,000 years ago, and created Adam and Eve from clay. This view is based on a chronology developed in a midrash, Seder Olam, which was based on a literal reading of the Book of Genesis. It is attributed to the Tanna Yose ben Halafta, and covers history from the creation of the universe to the construction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Although a literal approach is not always used when interpreting the Torah, there is a split over which parts are literal.
Some modern rabbis believe that the world is older, and that life as we know it today did not always exist. They believe such a view is needed to accept scientific theories, such as the theory of evolution. Rabbis who had this view based their conclusions on verses in the Talmud or in the midrash. For example:
- Talmud Chaggiga 13b-14a states that there were 974 generations before God created Adam.
- The Midrash says: God created many worlds but was not satisfied, and left the world he was satisfied with.
- Rabbi Moshe Ben Nacman (1194–1270) writes: In the first day God created the energy (כח) "matter" (חומר) of all things, and then he was finished with the main creation. After that God created all other things from that energy.
- Some midrashim state that the "first week" of Creation lasted for extremely long periods of time. See Anafim on Rabbenu Bachya's Sefer Ikkarim 2:18; Midrash Bereshit Rabbah 9.
- In Psalms it says "A thousand years is like a day in Your sight" (Psalm 90:4)
Read more about this topic: Jewish Views On Evolution
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