Editing Technology (section)

== Technology in Torah ==

==== Can a person standing on the moon make Kiddush Levana? ====
The Rebbe says that through technology, new concepts and explanations in Torah are revealed that would not have been revealed without technology.

For example: Now that it's possible to reach the moon via spacecraft, a new halachic discussion has emerged about whether a person on the moon can fulfill the custom of Kiddush Levana. This is something that in previous generations, despite all their greatness, such a possibility never came to mind.

This is the meaning of the verse: "Halichos olam lo." About which Chazal said, "Don't read it as 'halichos' (ways) but as 'halachos'." That the ways and advancements of the world cause elevation in the halachos of Torah.

==== At the End of Galus ====
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai writes in the Zohar:<blockquote>"And in the six hundredth year of the sixth millennium, the gates of wisdom will open above and the wellsprings of wisdom below, and the world will prepare to enter the seventh millennium. Like a person who prepares himself on Friday afternoon for the entrance of Shabbos, so too in this."</blockquote>This means that beginning from the six hundredth year of the sixth millennium from the creation of the world (year 5500), the wellsprings of wisdom will open and descend to the world. This is to prepare the world for the great wisdom that will be revealed in the days of Moshiach - "A new Torah will come forth from Me" - like a person who prepares himself for Shabbos.

Indeed, we see that around that time the Baal Shem Tov was revealed (in the year 5494), and the Alter Rebbe was born (in the year 5505/1745), who revealed the inner dimensions of Torah to prepare the world for the teachings of Melech HaMoshiach. And likewise in worldly wisdom, the Industrial Revolution began at that time.

The Rebbe explains that the Zohar counts two revelations that will occur: the windows of heaven above - the wisdom of Torah, and the depths of the earth - the wisdom of the nations.

The Rebbe continues to explain that not only was the Torah wisdom that would be revealed meant to prepare the world for the seventh millennium - Moshiach. But also the wisdom of the nations of the world that would be revealed then, '''their entire purpose''' is only to prepare the world for Moshiach, as they assist in understanding Torah concepts that were previously difficult.