Should You Study Science And See How It Points To Hashem?

By Rabbi Elie Feder, PhD, and Rabbi Aaron Zimmer | PhysicsToGod.com

Since we already know that Hashem exists—based on the Torah and the teachings of Chazal—why should a ben Torah engage with modern science to reach the same conclusion? It seems unnecessary.

That’s a valid question. But the truth is that exploring how science points to Hashem can not only be valuable, but even essential. In this article, we’ll outline three reasons why it’s worthwhile for a ben Torah to see how the physical universe itself testifies to its Creator.

In the next two articles of this series, we’ll present a brief overview of the fine-tuning argument—what we believe to be a compelling case that modern physics unmistakably points toward an intelligent Creator.

1. Know How to Respond to an Apikores. In Pirkei Avot 2:14, Rabbi Elazar advises, “Da mah shetashiv l’apikores”—“Know what to answer a heretic.” Over the past few centuries, many secular thinkers and scientists have openly rejected belief in G-d. While these criticisms were once confined to academic circles, sadly, they are now widespread in classrooms and across the internet, making them easily accessible to young, impressionable minds.

Ignoring these challenges sends the false impression that they are unanswerable. This can lead even our most gifted talmidim to assume that emunah in Hashem is irrational and to, chas v’shalom, reject Hashem entirely. While most talmidim don’t follow this path, some unfortunately do. This is a tragedy we cannot accept or ignore.

Jewish leadership today must heed Rabbi Elazar’s guidance and be ready with clear, thoughtful answers to defend emunah in Hashem. The truth is that the scientific community has not delivered a refutation of G-d’s existence. On the contrary, as we’ll show, discoveries in modern physics offer powerful support for belief in a Borei Olam.

2. Firsthand Knowledge That Hashem Exists. Even someone who is never exposed to kefirah still has a significant reason to explore science-based arguments for the existence of Hashem: to strengthen their own conviction. Emunah is not all-or-nothing. It can and should grow in depth and clarity as a person’s understanding increases.

Much of what we know begins as secondhand knowledge, from parents, teachers, and our mesorah. But over time, we can transform that into firsthand knowledge by understanding it ourselves. This deeper, internal grasp leads to an even stronger conviction in Hashem’s existence.

To appreciate this point, consider Sh’mos 20:18, where Hashem tells Moshe: “You have seen that from the Heavens, I have spoken to you.” If all types of knowledge were equal, why emphasize that they saw it themselves? Rashi, quoting the Mechilta, explains: “There is a difference between what a person sees and what he is told by others, because that which he is told by others, sometimes his heart is in conflict about believing it.”

This Rashi highlights the value of firsthand clarity in emunah: not merely relying on others, but striving, wherever possible, to truly grasp it for oneself.

3. ⁠The Path to Ahavah and Yirah of Hashem. Even for someone who never encounters apikorsus and feels absolutely secure in their emunah, there is still great value in studying science and seeing how it points toward Hashem. The Rambam writes (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 2:2) that the path to love and awe of Hashem is through contemplating the infinite wisdom throughout His creation. The more a person understands the universe, the more they are moved to ahavas and yiras Hashem. This love and awe grow in direct proportion to one’s knowledge about Hashem’s world.

While many scientific insights can inspire this attitude, some aspects of the universe do so more powerfully than others. For example, the fine-tuning argument—which we’ll explore over the next two articles—reveals the incredible precision built into the laws of nature. By showing that the existence of our complex universe depends on precise values embedded in the very fabric of our cosmos, this argument offers a striking window into Hashem’s infinite chochmah. So, even for the firmest believers, exploring this path enhances one’s emotional connection to Hashem by revealing the profound chochmah and precision with which He designed the universe.

Conclusion. Fully achieving these three goals—responding to modern-day kefirah, attaining firsthand knowledge of Hashem’s existence, and deepening ahavas and yiras Hashem—requires real time and effort.

For those who wish to make this investment, we have produced an audio and video series—Season One of the “Physics to God” podcast—dedicated to this topic, along with a range of written articles available at PhysicsToGod.com.

For those looking for a more introductory approach, the next two articles in this series will present the fine-tuning argument in a clear and accessible way, making it easy for anyone to follow and appreciate, even on a basic level. n

Rabbi Elie Feder PhD, a Rebbe at Yeshiva Bnei Torah and a math professor at Kingsborough Community College, is the author of Gematria Refigured (2022) and Happiness in the Face of Adversity (2024). Rabbi Aaron Zimmer holds a degree in physics and is a retired commodity futures trader. They both received smicha from Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and together host the Physics to God podcast, which presents a rational, science-based case for the existence of G-d.