Signature of God in the Universe

 G-d in Nature

Signature of G-d in the Universe

by Yosef Sebag, physicist, electrical engineer

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Did the Creator of the universe attach his signature in nature?

Modern science has unlocked much of the mysteries of the universe. We have probed the atom, studied the cell, and peered out to the far edges of the observable universe. Surely if such a signature exists, we should have found it by now.

Let us examine, but before we can recognize the signature of G-d, we need to first know what is G-d's Name.

G-D'S NAME

The Torah reveals to us that the primary Name of G-d is the Tetragramaton. According to our sources (Shaarei Kedusha Part 4 Gate 3)^[1], this Name encompasses everything.

The Tetragramaton is spelled by the four letters: Yud - Heh - Vav - Heh.

The latter three letters (Heh-Vav-Heh) spell Hovei, which means "present" in Hebrew. While the first letter prefix "Yud" indicates future tense.

Thus, the meaning of the Tetragramaton is that G-d is ever-present, i.e. eternal, He was, is, and always will be. It also connotes that G-d is constantly creating the present. He is the underlying Source of all existence in the universe.

Now that we know G-d's Name, let us see if we can find His signature in nature.

The universe can be divided into four major areas:

1. the container of everything - i.e. space/time

2. the laws of physics which govern how things work.

3. the matter and energy contained within space.

4. life.

Perhaps, we are already starting to see one signature of G-d - four major areas paralleling the four letters of the Tetragramaton. Let us now examine each of these four areas and see if this persists..

FOUR DIMENSIONAL SPACETIME

The primary way to interpret our world is 4-dimensional space - three spatial dimensions (x,y,z) and the fourth dimension is time (t). To specify the location of something, one needs to know all 4 dimensions.

Some physicists theorize there are more dimensions (string theory). But these theoretical extra dimensions are smaller than atoms and impossible to observe. The highest number of dimensions scientists are willing to postulate for the time being is 26 dimensions, 25 spatial and 1 time (Bosonic string theory, note magic number 26).

In any case, for all practical purposes from a human perspective there are four dimensions - 3 of space and and 1 of time.

According to the torah, what counts is the human perspective, since man is the reason for creation and from the human perspective there are four dimensions.

Perhaps we can say that the 4 primary dimensions of space-time correspond to the four letters of G-d's Name.

Yud = time dimension, Heh- Vav- Heh = 3 spatial dimensions.

As before the letter Yud as a prefix connotes future, i.e. time, while Heh- Vav- Heh which means "present" in Hebrew, connotes a frame of existence, i.e. space.

Here is one possible instance of G-d's signature.

LAWS OF PHYSICS

The fundamental forces of physics which shape our universe are four - gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, weak nuclear^[2]. These are said to be fundamental forces because they do not appear to be reducible to more basic interactions. Again we have the number four. Perhaps these four also parallel the four letters of the Tetragramaton.

BASIC ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS

The laws of physics are all governed by purely mathematical statements^[3]. There are four basic mathematical operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication,and division^[4]. Again we have the number four. (note: multiplication is repeated addition only for integers. Beyond that it gets more complicated.)

Let us now look at the content of the universe, i.e. the mass/energy content from a human perspective.

STATES OF MATTER

According to wikipedia^[5], four states of matter are observable in everyday life: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma (in stars and lightning). Though there are some other exotic states of matter, but as before from our human perspective, these are the states we encounter. Note again the number four.

FOUR PARTICLES OF MATTER/ENERGY

From a human perspective, the number of particles we encounter in our daily lives are four. All matter we interact with is comprised of atoms which differ only by the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons they contain (according to wikipedia: "the atom is the smallest unit of matter that has the properties of a chemical element"^[6]). The fourth particle we encounter is the photon. So for example, a table or computer contains protons, neutrons, and electrons, and we observe it visually through photons of light. So too for everything else on our planet. Granted there are other particles inside protons, etc. but we do not encounter them in any way outside the protons. Thus, from our perspective, the number of particles we interact with are four^[7].

To quote a physics web page of Kiel University:

The Gang of Four

To repeat myself: "Everything you can see - the stars in the sky, your wife, the TV set, the mountain range, the ocean, your boss or your underlings, the dust mites dancing in a ray of light, everything-and that includes you-consists of atoms and photons. That's it. There is nothing else for non-scientists like you. It's my and my fellow scientists privilege that on rare occasions we can also "look" at things that are different from atoms (including their constituents) and photons".

So let's talk elementary particles here. Only four of them are of any importance to normal people:

1. The electron. We need it for electricity and electronics - and for a lot more, like making atoms and ions.
2. The proton. We need it for nuclear magnetic resonance tomography (NMR), for ionized hydrogen and, not to forget, for making all the atoms.
3. The neutron. We need it for making nuclear bombs, nuclear reactors, neutron beam technologies, and - like protons - for making atoms.
4. The photon. Whenever you think about electromagnetic waves in terms of particles, you call that particle a photon. We need photons so we can see, but also for Radio, TV, X-rays gamma-rays and for connecting charges.

That's it. You can go rather far with this gang of four... Everybody with a halfway decent general education knows, of course, that there are hell of a lot more elementary particles.. Well, forget them. They are important for us scientists. Some of them we actually use in Materials Science but they are of no importance for you and me in everyday life... (end quote)

To summarize, for all practical purposes from our perspective there are four particles we encounter in our every day life. Note again the number four.

Let us now look a bit at life on our planet...

 

FOUR SPIRAL ARMS IN OUR GALAXY

A new 12-year study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society has confirmed that our Milky Way Galaxy has four spiral arms, following years of debate that it has only two arms.

In 2008, scientists using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope scoured our Galaxy for infrared light emitted by stars. They revealed about 110 million stars, but only evidence of two spiral arms.

The astronomers behind the new study used several radio telescopes to individually observe about 1,650 massive stars in the Galaxy. The distances and luminosities of these stars were calculated, revealing a distribution across four spiral arms. see here for more.

FOURTH BODY IN SOLAR SYSTEM

Our planet is the fourth major body in the solar system - sun, mercury, venus, earth. Again the number four.

FOUR LAYERS OF ATMOSPHERE

The earth's atmosphere has four primary layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere^[9]. There is also an extremely low density exosphere (above 700km) but some scientists don't consider it part of the atmosphere^[10]. It is basically a transition area between the edge of the atmosphere and outer space. Again the number four shows up.

FOUR CONTINUOUS LAND MASSES

How many major land masses are there on our planet? According to wikipedia^[8]: "a continuous area of land surrounded by ocean is called a "landmass".. Landmasses include supercontinents, continents, and islands. There are four major continuous landmasses on Earth: Afro-Eurasia, the Americas, Antarctica and Australia". end quote

FOUR KINGDOMS

Everything on our planet can be divided into four kingdoms - inanimate, plant, animal, and humans. Inanimate objects are not alive. Plants (and bacteria, etc.) grow and reproduce. Animals also have consciousness and will. Humans also have abstract intellect and free will, i.e. they have a higher level of consciousness. Thus, humans are able to choose to go against their animal side and can also contemplate the world and its Creator.

DNA IS BASE FOUR

All known life on earth is highly related using a common base-4 DNA genetic code. The information in DNA is stored as a code made up of four chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). Likewise, all known life on earth is based on the carbon atom largely due to its special ability to create 4 electron bonds with other atoms and repeat this process indefinitely. Biochemist Dr. Michael Denton (agnostic) points out in his book "Nature's Destiny" several examples of the number four appearing throughout molecular biology. In page 192 he states:

"We have also seen that because of the natural twist in the DNA double helix, protein recognition motifs such as the alpha helix can only feel about 4 bases in the DNA double helix. It has often been said that G-d is a mathematician; on the evidence of molecular biology we might add that He is keen on the number four".

We can find more examples of the number 4 in our own physiognomy. One of the most famous kabbalistic works, the Etz Chaim (Shaar Peh Ozen Chotem, ch.1), explains that the four windows in the face (eyes, ears, nose, mouth) correspond to the four letters in G-d's Name. Man is supposed to be a microcosm of the universe. Likewise our physical form is comprised of four main parts - head, arms, legs and body.

The Kabbalah describes existence in terms of four levels of soul and four main worlds. These are said to parallel the Tetragrammaton. In our world – known as Asiyah – time is delineated via the four seasons and twelve months. The latter parallel the 12 possible tzirufim (permutations) of the letters in the Tetragramaton. There are also four compass directions - north, south, east and west.

The Hebrew letters which are the spiritual building blocks of all creation consist of letters, vowels, crowns, and cantillation notes. These four are said to parallel the Tetragramaton. The world was created by G-d "speaking" through these Hebrew letters.

Conclusion: To quote master Kabalist, Rabbi Chaim Vital (Shaarei Kedusha 3:1):  Behold, we have explained that all the worlds are included in the Name Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh, which divides into 4 foundations and 10 sefirot. 

Likewise each world sub-divides in this manner. For example, the world of Atzilut which is the letter "Yud", which is called Chachma, divides into all the levels we explained. And it contains one complete Yud- Heh- Vav- Heh which divides into 4 foundations and 10 complete sefirot in the exact manner mentioned [above] for all the worlds in their totality. 

And it is this way for all the worlds mentioned. And in this way it continues to go and sub-divide in absolute divisioning until we find that even in this lowly word there is no tiny creature which does not contain the complete 4 letters Yud- Heh-Vav-Heh and the complete 10 sefirot. 

And all this is in order to teach that everything was created by the power of the Creator, blessed be He, and that there is no other [power].I believe the above indications support the idea that the signature of G-d pervades the universe.

You can read more:  https://www.dafyomi.co.il/general/info/torahau/torah_authenticity.php?d=14