Q: Albert Einstein – Professor Steven Gimbel - Introduction:

A: 

• Enjoyed science documentaries as a kid

• Studies physics and philosophy at university

• Dissertation on interpretations of the General Theory of Relativity

• Studies metaphysics of Einstein

• Einstein’s work as “Jewish Science” comparable to Talmudic methodology

Q: Einstein: What were the early influences? 

A: 

• Raised in Southern Germany, secular, anti-religious Jewish home

• Received Jewish studies from a religious uncle

• At age 9 becomes observant, religious, sings psalms to God

• At age 10 religion goes away, replaced by science

• Story of compass – invisible forces of nature at play

• Influenced by medical student Max Talmud

• Enamored with Euclidian Geometry based on proofs

Q: Was Einstein a Good Student? 

A:

• Myth: Einstein was a bad student

• Always thought he knew better

• Hated the German schools

• Did not finish his high school in Germany

• Zurich Engineering University

Q: What is the Theory of Relatively?

A: 

• Theory of Relativity

• Covariant – relative to your perspective

• Invariant – doesn’t vary with perspective

• Newton- space, time & mass all invariant

• Einstein & Relativity: They are NOT!

• New way to look at reality & universe

Q: Was Einstein’s Science, Jewish? 

A:

• Einstein’s theory was revolutionary

• Upset many scientists

• They called his work, derogatorily, “Jewish Science”

• Is there any truth in that?

• Similar to Talmudic Reasoning!

• Different seemingly contradictory perspectives resolved by higher understanding

Q: Was Einstein Religious?

A:

• Newton studied Solomon’s Temple, Maimonides

• Einstein was not like Newton

• Cosmic Religion

• Universe “governed” by natural laws

• Jew of Mosaic Persuasion

• Greater affinity to Jewish friends

Q: Was Einstein Political?

A: 

• Used his platform as the most famous scientist

• Anti-Nationalist, Anti-Military

• Wrote “Why Socialism?”

• Proponent of human equality

• Advocate for the vulnerable people

Q: Was Einstein a Pacifist? 

A:

• Fundamentally a pacifist

• Against Belgium pacifists as Hitler to invade

• Fearful Germany would develop Nuclear weapons

• Signed letter to Roosevelt

• Led to Manhattan Project

• Abhorred by atomic bombing of Japan

• Would “burn my fingers”

Q:  Was Einstein a Zionist?

A:

• Hot & Cold

• His Own Version of Zionism

• Thought Nationalism was bad

• Save Haven for Jews – Important

• Enamored with idea of Jewish University

• Hebrew University

• Collective wisdom of the Jewish people

• Not a traditional Zionist

Q: How did Einstein view himself?

A:

• Newton sees himself as historic like Adam, Moses…

• Einstein had the common touch

• Famous, sense of humor

• Used his fame as a platform for his views

• Not a political leader

• Understood his theories changed the world