Scientist Speaks on Faith

Over 150 people attended a Shabbaton on faith and science at Chabad of Western Monmouth County in Manalapan, NJ, with B.U. Chemist Dr. Binyomin Abrams.

When he is not lecturing on chemistry at Boston University, Abrams is a frequent speaker at Chabad gatherings, focusing on his own journey from a mostly secular upbringing to a deep religious observance, and his reconciliation of faith and science.

On Friday, the focus was on the speaker’s life experiences. A native of Montreal, Abrams attended a Jewish high school, where, he said, most students were heedless of the commandments. What he did get from those years was an ability to read Hebrew. He also maintained a firm belief in God throughout his youth.

As a youngster, Abrams said, he’d believed in science as a “perfect truth.” Now he had to find a way to reconcile apparent conflicts between scientific teachings and his emerging acceptance of halachic practice.

On Shabbos day in Manalapan, Abrams, a lecturer in theoretical physical chemistry and chemical education, spoke about one of the hottest issues confronting scientists today — the Higgs boson, a subatomic particle many believe was critical to the formation of the universe.

In his talk, Abrams discussed concepts embedded in Talmud and Torah that demonstrate similarities in understanding by both the ancient sages and today’s cutting-edge science.

Abrams noted that the weekend’s event was something of a homecoming for his wife, Liorah. “She used to live in South Amboy, and she worked at the Manalapan Chabad’s Judaica shop during the summer of 2006,” he said.