Random questions.

[imayid2]

Luminescence?

Are you referring to the teiva? I am not sure what you are getting at or what the connection is.

Yes. Which gems?

I am. Just another science v Torah discussion which is in the spotlight because of a recently banned book who dared try offering a scientific explanation.

[aygart]

Yes. Which gems?

I am. Just another science v Torah discussion which is in the spotlight because of a recently banned book who dared try offering a scientific explanation.

https://www.fluomin.org/uk/list.php

[imayid2]

https://www.fluomin.org/uk/list.php

FWIU the illumination from these minerals is very minimal.

[aygart]

FWIU the illumination from these minerals is very minimal.

Some more than others

[imayid2]

Some more than others

Enough to plausibly be the entire source of illumination for the teivah?

[aygart]

Enough to plausibly be the entire source of illumination for the teivah?

There would definitely need to be an amazing confluence of factors for anything close to that to happen.

[imayid2]

There would definitely need to be an amazing confluence of factors for anything close to that to happen.

I’m told Artscroll (Stone edition) offers this pshat:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deck_prism

[yungermanchik]

I’m told Artscroll (Stone edition) offers this pshat:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deck_prism

- and some say it was a precious stone [that refracted light from the outside (Chizkuni)]

[imayid2]

The Chizkuni says nothing about refracting light from the outside. That’s their little twist to add a scientifically viable option.

Apparently some people think that’s egregiously heretical.

[aygart]

The Chizkuni says nothing about refracting light from the outside. That’s their little twist to add a scientifically viable option.

Apparently some people think that’s egregiously heretical.

Is this a case where it is clear from chazal that it was miraculous?

[imayid2]

Is this a case where it is clear from chazal that it was miraculous?

Not quite explicitly. The Rishonim definitely don’t seem to be working under that assumption.

Does a pshat have to shtim with every medrash out there?

[aygart]

Not quite explicitly. The Rishonim definitely don’t seem to be working under that assumption.

Then it is not quite composted to the claims made about

a recently banned book who dared try offering a scientific explanation.

[imayid2]

Then it is not quite composted to the claims made about

Except that they are being vilified for virtually the same thing. They dared write (as a suggestion, in parentheses) that the light from the candles used in the teiva was refracted in the gem stone.

[mevinyavin]

I'm not comfortable with that explanation. Seems too difficult to fit into the פשוטו של מקרא.

Firstly, I don't have a problem with you not appreciating the explanation. The one I brought is not the only one.
Second, though: which aspect bothers you? This that the word was originally used to refer to the brain in Chazal, or that later sages stopped using it? Or something else?

Agav, I remembered last night that Rav Miller zal's book on Chovos Halevovos is titled Duties of the Mind (not heart). Not that this is proof because it doesn't have to be a translation. What may be clearer is that the discussion in Chovos Halevovos pertains to one's tasks in this world pertaining to one's mind and emotion - aka one's inner chovos, not one's actions.

[imayid2]

Then it is not quite composted to the claims made about

If you mean the claim is that the Rishonim understood it as miraculous, that is simply false.

[mevinyavin]

Does anyone have access to Rabbi Meiselman's book (Torah and Science) to see what he says?

[imayid2]

Does anyone have access to Rabbi Meiselman's book (Torah and Science) to see what he says?

Looking briefly I don’t see him discussing it other than a incidental mention of the pachad Yitzchok discussing כליות יועצות

[aygart]

Except that they are being vilified for virtually the same thing. They dared write (as a suggestion, in parentheses) that the light from the candles used in the teiva was refracted in the gem stone.

I did not see this complaint being made although I have not followed closely. The complaints I have seen were not comparable to this. It is unfortunately common for those with an agenda to nitpick shtusim.

[imayid2]

I did not see this complaint being made although I have not followed closely. The complaints I have seen were not comparable to this. It is unfortunately common for those with an agenda to nitpick shtusim.

It’s the very first example of “trying to be mekarev Torah to seichal haadom” given in the pamphlet  ויבינו במקרא מעומד which has just been printed and has started to be disseminated.

It should be duly noted that the בן איש חי in (ב״י סנהדרין קח) says this exact pshat:

[justaregularguy]

I’ve seen ppl make these personal version of google maps with their own markups. Is there a way I can do this directly from the phone app, or I have to find it on some browser?