Earth Science: A Study of the Wonders of Hashem's Physical World
Brody, Moshe
Synopsis "Earth Science: A Study of the Wonders of Hashem's Physical World "
In 1854, Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, zt"l, wrote the following regarding the state of appropriate educational materials in yeshivos: "Why, there are not even any textbooks. Textbooks have been produced for every other course of study, but textbooks for Jewish schools, textbooks written primarily for the needs of Jewish schools, have yet to appear." While his intent may have been broader than merely addressing the lack of appropriate general studies textbooks, the sad reality is that there has never been a Science textbook mass-produced and used in yeshivos written with the Torah community in mind. Generations of Torah families have grown up on textbooks that were produced by non-Jewish companies and primarily for non-Jewish audiences. This has left those in the Torah world exposed to many non-Torah ideas found in the secular world and consequently has created many halachic and hashkafic challenges for the frum student. To remedy this crying need, Limudai Chol Publications was formed. Over the last four years, Limudai Chol Publications has produced high-quality Regent review books for the frum population which presents brief reviews of those courses of study in a halachically and hashkafically acceptable manner. Building on the success and popularity that these review books have enjoyed, Limudai Chol Publications has now embarked on an ambitious and historic project: to create a line of textbooks and workbooks that conform to the demands of the Torah but which at the same time fully cover entire courses of study demanded by the State. Using a system approved by a vaad of senior Roshei Yeshivos in America, Limudai Chol Publications is proud to present the first "kosher" workbook for Earth Science ever produced. This book contains approximately 80 percent of the New York State Earth Science curriculum with no questionable content whatsoever. Since the rest of the curriculum does contain problematic content, Limudai Chol Publications has produced rabbinically approved pamphlets that address those topics in a halachically acceptable manner. By splitting the curriculum in this manner, an ideological distinction is made as to what is acceptable and what is not, and the objectionable material is studied under specific guidelines outlined by Gedolei Yisrael. It is our goal that these publications meet the needs of our students, both from an academic and Torah perspective, and we hope that you find this true as well.
