A genetic analysis of the events leading to the birth of Dinah

Abstract

An individual's understanding of any subject matter is influenced by life experiences and prior knowledge. People with divergent secular backgrounds will interpret specific aspects of the Torah from their own distinctive viewpoints. For example, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan had a strong scientific background and his understanding of the resurrection of the dead focused on molecular genetics. 1 Apparently, he assumed that the miracles surrounding resurrection would occur according to established biological principles (or, simply, the laws of nature). In a similar approach, this presentation is a biologist's view of a specific miraculous birth described in the Torah and expounded upon by the commentaries; the event will be explained as being guided by HaShem to occur through existing biological principles.