Physics Inching its Way to Torah

A fascinating, current issue in Physics, first proposed in 1964, continues the trend of Physics to catch up to the Torah point of view*. A significant finding, that of Bell's Theorem (named after the Irish physicist John Stewart Bell), proves there exist both LOCAL and NON-LOCAL phenomena in the universe.

Local phenomena imply that events associate by way of transfer of information, the fastest rate of which is the speed of light. Non-local phenomena, on the other hand, show instantaneous associative changes, as when particles many light-years apart influence each other instantaneously.

This, of course, is nothing new to Chassidus. Chassidus has always postulated that reality can either be of "inner presence" (being localized) and referred to as "Or Pnimi", or of omni-presence (being everywhere at the same time) and referred to as "Or Sovev".

* We are not talking about the pseudoscience of evolutionary or of global warming theories, both of which are merely sleazy political publicizations to promote a secular or socialistic agenda, respectively. Such "scientists" will never let solid science sway them from their crooked path.

More Elaboration

In order to push something, you have to touch it, or throw something at it. That is to say, somehow you have to reach it. Either you have to be right next to it, or through a chain of events exert your influence over it. This chain of events in Physics is called "localization".

Of the many intuitions that quantum physics shattered, the intuitiveness of localization is probably the biggest of them. Quantum mechanics asserts that two particles need not be physically or geographically adjacent to influence each other. Nor do the two particles need to be of the same kind. For example, one could be a neutron and the other an electron, and they can be at the opposite sides of the galaxy, and still one can influence the other immediately - faster than the speed of light.

This non-local simultaneous connection between particles ("quantum phase entanglement") takes the philosopher to new plains of thought, to real shaky ground. After all, non-localization describes a possibilty of having physical influence on something or someone without touching it (or him) and without an intervening chain of events. The physicist is really in a state of philosophical quandary, where the foundations of his "logic" are unravelling.

In Jewish teachings non-localization is well-entrenched. He who learned knows that a blessing, a thought or conversation can render the target a good influence (or vice versa). We know about reaching not just across large spaces but also across vast swaths of time, as in prophecy. We learned about "returning to G-d" - which can change, not only the future, but even correct the past.

Our sages always teach us to forego intuition or self-centeredness that pronounces our individuality, that makes us feel separate and apart. Rather, we have to feel that "all Jews are each other's guarantors, all Jews are intertwined". No matter where the other Jew is, locally or spiritually, that whatever one does has influence on another.

And therefore, we have to think good so that it will be good!