Quantum Light
1,435 views · Published 7 June 2012 · 1:32:56 · Indexed 19 October 2026
Channel: Rabbi Simon Jacobson at Meaningful Life Center · 2012 · Howto & Style
QUANTUM LIGHT Making Peace with Paradox When quantum mechanics was discovered it not only shocked the world with its bizarre findings but it completely revolutionized our way of thinking, and introduced astonishing new developments in technology. From the transistor to laser, computers to the web, seminconductors to superconductors, from chemistry to DNA -- the information age and much of modern science would not exist today were it not for quantum physics. But would you believe that the fundamental principles of quantum theory -- including one of its core ideas about the dual particle-wave like behavior and interactions of energy and matter -- were stated hundreds of years earlier in mystical texts, and are brought to light in the classic Ayin Beis, whose centennial we are now honoring? Just about the time, early 20th century, when quantum mechanics was emerging on the scientific scene, the Rebbe Rashab began delivering his epic treatise, which lays out the far reaching implications of a dual particle-wave like reality, including its parallels in psychology -- call it the quantum psyche -- philosophy and spirituality. And above all -- its applications to our personal lives. Since its inception, the many counter-intuitive aspects and results of quantum mechanics have provoked strong philosophical debates and many interpretations (even the great Einstein rejected some of its strange claims). Many fundamental issues which today are accepted as basic facts, took decades to be appreciated by society and many leading scientists. Indeed, the renown physicist Richard Feynman once said, "I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics." So it should be of no surprise that the pioneering ideas in Ayin Beis have yet to be appreciated. But one century later, with many quantum breakthroughs having paved the way, the time has come to unleash the secrets of Ayin Beis. Please join Rabbi Jacobson in this piercing discussion on the paradoxical nature of light -- the opening theme of this week's Torah portion -- and how the Ayin Beis perspective can help us radically alter the way we look at our lives and change them for the better.
