Review by Maquis55 -- Mysteries Of the First Instant
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- Latest Review: Mysteries Of the First Instant by Daniel Friedmann
Review by Maquis55 -- Mysteries Of the First Instant
[Following is a volunteer review of "Mysteries Of the First Instant" by Daniel Friedmann.]
Daniel Freeman, with Dania Sheldon, present an engaging discussion of complex but fascinating subjects: what happened in the First Instant right before the Big Bang, and what can be learned from Hebrew biblical texts such as Torah and Kabbalah to illumine that event? Mysteries of the First Instant is an in-depth journey exploring the intersection of the science of physical universe and the inner meaning of biblical texts.
Part one of the book is a conversation between the main author and his nephew while on vacation in California. Their discussions succinctly describe the basic principles and history of how physicists have come to an understanding of the beginnings of the physical universe, using the example of the popular toy, Legos. The metaphor works surprisingly well, and can be understood by anyone with an advanced high school or general college education, though it is not a “light” read.
Interesting vignettes of several noted physicists describe how Einstein’s work was built on over the last century, interspersed with stories of Jewish scholars and mystics who transformed traditional oral teachings into writings, which became the Kabbalah. The author’s deep understanding of both science and Judaic mystical tradition is skillfully transformed into logical theories concerning time, space, how matter came about, dark matter, the origin of the universe, and the apparent center of the universe: our solar system. Cleverly, these theories are supported and further explained by original graphs and charts. Part two dives into superbly well-researched details of the topics presented in the first part, both scientific and spiritual, and is equally absorbing
The nexus of science and religion has long been a favorite topic of mine, and I very much enjoyed this book. Stories are a traditional means to impart spiritual principles in many religious traditions, making such knowledge easily accessible. My favorite story in this book was about Isaac Luria, known as the Ari or Lion. The first to teach the mystical tradition of Kabbalah, he emphasized that his students be joyful in their studies, to always avoid anger, and to be kind and helpful to others. I cannot think of a better life lesson; and found it particularly inspiring after a year of pandemic stress.
Bridging science and religion is not an easy task, yet the author succeeds much in the same way the left and right hemispheres of the human brain function as two necessary aspects operating in harmony within one unified being who can grasp both physical and spiritual truths. In the last chapter titled, “A Theory of Everything,” the author notes that the drive to look for unity is inherent in the human soul. Through the use of stories of the lives of Jewish mystics, original graphs explaining scientific proofs adjacent to spiritual meanings, and advanced mathematics, the author reveals that human physical and spiritual existence are just two perspectives of a dimensional reality.
I give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It can be a challenging read due to the range of complex topics, I found nothing to dislike about the book, and it made me stretch my intellect in satisfying ways. I recommend the book to anyone with an interest in (and some basic knowledge of) physics, and the intersection of science and religion. I found only one typographical error in the book.
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Mysteries Of the First Instant
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Daniel Freeman, with Dania Sheldon, present an engaging discussion of complex but fascinating subjects: what happened in the First Instant right before the Big Bang, and what can be learned from Hebrew biblical texts such as Torah and Kabbalah to illumine that event? Mysteries of the First Instant is an in-depth journey exploring the intersection of the science of physical universe and the inner meaning of biblical texts.
Part one of the book is a conversation between the main author and his nephew while on vacation in California. Their discussions succinctly describe the basic principles and history of how physicists have come to an understanding of the beginnings of the physical universe, using the example of the popular toy, Legos. The metaphor works surprisingly well, and can be understood by anyone with an advanced high school or general college education, though it is not a “light” read.
Interesting vignettes of several noted physicists describe how Einstein’s work was built on over the last century, interspersed with stories of Jewish scholars and mystics who transformed traditional oral teachings into writings, which became the Kabbalah. The author’s deep understanding of both science and Judaic mystical tradition is skillfully transformed into logical theories concerning time, space, how matter came about, dark matter, the origin of the universe, and the apparent center of the universe: our solar system. Cleverly, these theories are supported and further explained by original graphs and charts. Part two dives into superbly well-researched details of the topics presented in the first part, both scientific and spiritual, and is equally absorbing
The nexus of science and religion has long been a favorite topic of mine, and I very much enjoyed this book. Stories are a traditional means to impart spiritual principles in many religious traditions, making such knowledge easily accessible. My favorite story in this book was about Isaac Luria, known as the Ari or Lion. The first to teach the mystical tradition of Kabbalah, he emphasized that his students be joyful in their studies, to always avoid anger, and to be kind and helpful to others. I cannot think of a better life lesson; and found it particularly inspiring after a year of pandemic stress.
Bridging science and religion is not an easy task, yet the author succeeds much in the same way the left and right hemispheres of the human brain function as two necessary aspects operating in harmony within one unified being who can grasp both physical and spiritual truths. In the last chapter titled, “A Theory of Everything,” the author notes that the drive to look for unity is inherent in the human soul. Through the use of stories of the lives of Jewish mystics, original graphs explaining scientific proofs adjacent to spiritual meanings, and advanced mathematics, the author reveals that human physical and spiritual existence are just two perspectives of a dimensional reality.
I give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It can be a challenging read due to the range of complex topics, I found nothing to dislike about the book, and it made me stretch my intellect in satisfying ways. I recommend the book to anyone with an interest in (and some basic knowledge of) physics, and the intersection of science and religion. I found only one typographical error in the book.
******
Mysteries Of the First Instant
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Mysteries Of the First Instant by Daniel Friedmann
