Parshat Va’etchanan: One July 28, 2023

Deuteronomy 6:4

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, The Lord is one.

There are times when the Torah and science seem to be at odds, and times when they speak the same truth. For instance, we have to reconcile the six days of creation with thirteen billion years of existence, and the creation of humans without the process of evolution. It can be done, though it can feel like a stretch. We can, and should, explain the Torah in the light of new scientific understandings. Maimonides in fact held that we must amend our understanding of the Torah when new scientific facts are discovered. This however, has not been necessary for the shema.

The insistence of a singular, unified God and universe was first expressed in the Torah, and then discovered by the scientific community. That the universe has its origins in the big bang, a profound and mystifying singularity is now gospel. All is one because all comes from the same source. 

The implications are profound. We look around and see distinctions: you/me, us/them, good/evil, and it would be reasonable to conclude that the true nature of the world is one of distinction and separation. In comes the Shema. In comes the big bang. All comes from one source, all is one. The big bang did not happen billions of years ago. It merely began billions of years ago. The universe still explodes from that singularity, that profound oneness, and we, for all our differences and distinctions are bound eternally together in an explosive, and ongoing unity.

Office Hours

B’nai Zion Congregation
6210 Airpark Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Monday: By appointment
Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Visiting B’nai Zion for the first time?
For security purposes, our policy requires that first time visitors contact the office before visiting B’nai Zion Congregation or attending Shabbat or Holiday services. Please call us at 423.894.8900. We look forward to welcoming you!

Contact

Rabbi Samuel Rotenberg: rabbirotenberg@bzcongregation.com

Autumn Clark, Office Manager: office@bzcongregation.com

Phone: 423.894.8900

Subscribe to our email list!

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Weekly Services

Tuesday Minyan
6:00pm via Zoom Only

Friday Kabbalat Shabbat (1st, 2nd, & 3rd Fridays)
6:00pm via Zoom Only

Shira v’Shulchan (4th Friday)
6:00pm in-person and via Zoom

Shabbat Morning Service
9:30am in-person and via Zoom

See our Worship & Events page for all up to date services!