Humans have always wondered what was the cause of
natural phenomena like thunder and lightning. Many ancient religions believed
that one of their gods, usually, but not always, the head of the Pantheon,
controlled thunder and lightning. “In Greek mythology it was Zeus who wielded
thunder and lightning and hurled it at anyone who displeased him. When he grew
angry, he became very destructive, hurling lightning bolts with such ferocity
that they caused violent storms. In Roman mythology it was Jupiter. In
Scandinavian mythology it was Thor.” (https://www.lightningstrikeltd.co.uk/blog/zeus/)
“While the Bantu tribesmen of Africa have Umpigundulo, the lightning bird-god. The
god of thunder, Mkunga Mburu, is believed by some to travel the heavens on a
huge black bull with a spear in each hand, ready to hurl them at the clouds to
make the loud noises.” (https://scijinks.gov/review/folklore/printfolklore.html)
On today’s daf TB Berachot 59 our sages wonder what causes thunder.
We also learned in the Mishna
for thunder, gale force winds, and lightning, manifestations of
the power of the Creator, one recites: Blessed…Whose strength and power fill
the world בָּרוּךְ, שֶׁכֹּחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם.
The Gemara asks: What causes thunder? Shmuel said: When the clouds
located in the curvature of the firmament collide with the firmament
itself, they produce this sound, as it is stated: “The voice of Your thunder
was in the whirlwind; the lightning lighted up the world; the earth trembled
and shook” (Psalms 77:19).
And the Rabbis say: Thunder is the sound of clouds pouring water into
one another, as it is stated: “At the sound of His giving a multitude of waters
in the heavens” (Jeremiah
10:13). Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said: Thunder is caused by a powerful
lightning bolt that flashes in the cloud and shatters the hailstones. Rav Ashi
said: Because the clouds are hollow, and when the wind comes and
blows across their mouths, it sounds like wind blowing in the mouth of a
jug. The Gemara concludes: And it stands to reason in accordance with
the opinion of Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov; as lightning flashes, the clouds rumble,
and the rain comes. (Sefaria.org translation)
Today
science has explained the real causes of lightning and thunder. Unfortunately
our present administration and many in the Republican Party have rejected
science and in my opinion with deleterious effects for us and our world.
Despite overwhelming evidence they continue to deny climate change. Lobbyist
and unqualified individuals have taken the place of experts and scientists in all
the departments and they disregard all scientific research. Budget cuts have
reduced the number of positions in important departments like the CDC who have
700 less scientists than before Pres. Trump took office. We are facing a
pandemic coronavirus and Trump has named VP Pence instead of an expert in the
field as the czar heading up the United States response. Pence doesn’t believe
in evolution, has stated that smoking doesn’t cause cancer, and under his watch
Indiana had the largest outbreak of the HIV virus due to his policies. This war
on science worries me. (See Science Under Attack: How Trump Is Sidelining
Researchers and Their Work, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/28/climate/trump-administration-war-on-science.html
and E.P.A. to Limit Science Used to Write Public Health Rules, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/climate/epa-science-trump.html?fbclid=IwAR2IcXH9-DEHgBo-ktTQpvTTBEayGnk3JMGMFXUr9Y9I9n00WRjzuyD_nlw)
It’s fun
to read about ancient theories how the world works; however, I trust science to
help me understand natural phenomena in my role affecting the earth. I want an
administration committed to science too.
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