It is very helpful to understand the background of Daniel Friedmann and how he devised his concept, and from his biographical data we learn the following: `Daniel Friedmann is a student of the origin of the universe and life on earth both from the scientific and biblical perspectives. As author of The Genesis One Code, he demonstrates an alignment between the times of key events described in the creation narrative in the book of Genesis with those derived from scientific theory and observation. He is currently writing a second book entitled Adam and the Homo sapiens which will demonstrate an alignment between the key events and timeline recounting the appearance of humans in the book of Genesis with those derived from the fossil record and genetic studies. Born in Chile and raised in Canada, he is currently CEO of Canada’s leading aerospace company that built the Canadarms, and is involved in space exploration and the Hubble telescope. He is a professional engineer and holds a master’s degree in engineering physics. He has 30 years’ experience in the space industry, having worked on projects in fifteen countries while throughout the decades conducting extensive scientific research. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific papers on space industry topics and cosmology. He is also a longtime student of religion and for the past 14 years has attended the Vancouver Kollel center for learning. His work on reconciling the biblical account with scientific observation utilizing his biblical clock formula has been reported in various newspapers, magazines and radio talk shows. He is passionate about helping young adults put science and the Bible in correct context.’

The Genesis One Code presents a careful examination of the relationship between scientific theory and biblical teaching, offering a fresh perspective informed by scientific and spiritual research. The book demonstrates an alignment between the dates of key events described in Genesis 1 and 2 with those derived from scientific theory and observation. This alignment provides a compelling perspective deserving of thoughtful consideration. What the book does not do is further separate the two visions of the beginning of the universe and the beginning of life: Friedman has taken the time to study the forms of the various names of the creator and the terms of the steps of development of the universe as we have grown to know it and to explore it, and in doing so he acts as the glue to bind both theories, putting to rest the hostilities of the arguments from both sides as being the only way conceivable!

Whether the reader enters this discussion from the purely religious side or from the purely scientific side, the one (of many) points that Friedman makes is that there is no reason for combative separatism. His honesty and humility are most welcome, no matter the preconceived notions of the reader. Grady Harp, September 12

HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Disclosure: I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review

Daniel Friedmann is an individual thoroughly committed to both of these disciplines, accuracy in Torah and in Science. And his book The Genesis One Code is reflective of this commitment. I found that his treatment of the Physics, Astronomy, Biology and Paleontology was the most thorough that I have read on the subject. He has provided valuable theories for advancing a true synthesis of the disparate elements, and is not afraid to admit epistemological lacunae or intellectual challenges.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the book is how well synchronized Friedmann’s theories are with the empirical chronology of the natural record. A second impressive element is Friedmann’s thorough survey of previous literature. I often judge a book by the quality of its notes. The Genesis One Code has copious and thorough notes, which speaks to both the honesty and humility necessary to advance the truth of this issue.

Congregation Schara Tzedeck

Vancouver, B.C.

17th Elul 5772

Why is this important? Because, for so many, the creation debate acts as a stumbling block to belief. As believers we should be seeking ways NOT to defend our faith (God can handle that job), but to assist in removing the stumbling blocks of our own making. And as an attempt for inclusion of those who are already believers, yet define themselves as Theistic or Guided Evolutionists and often find themselves alienated from their own faith communities over this debate. What a sad state of affairs when the great conversations of life are not permitted in our own worship communities. I think we always walk on dangerous soil when we have to prove our faith, yet it is affirming to be able to present the ideas in Mr. Friedmann’s The Genesis One Code as a viable option. I for one am fascinated and highly recommend the reading and re-reading of this text

Pastor Jim Allen

Pastor at Shabbona United Church of Christ

Greater Chicago Area

Thank you, Daniel. I was amazed and pleased with what I found. To start, it is very well written, the clearest exposition of the Genesis Creation account that I have seen coming from his school of Kabbalist thought (a point of view that I previously had brushed up against — but not seriously studied — in Gerald Schroeder’s books God According to God: A Scientist Discovers We’ve Been Wrong About God All Along, and The Hidden Face of God: Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth).

Perhaps the first thing that attracted me to this book is that he shares with me a belief in the authority and divine inspiration of the Biblical text. In my own analysis of the Genesis text I come at it from an entirely different point of view. My own view (published in some lectures on the Creation Narrative, posted on the web) is much closer to Church interpretation, genetically related to St. Augustine of Hippo’s 4th Century work, 41. St. Augustine, Vol. 1: The Literal Meaning of Genesis (Ancient Christian Writers). Daniel’s approach derives from the 11th Century Jewish Scholar Rashi and 12th Century Scholar Ramban (also known as Nahmanides), who exegete oral and written Jewish traditions that go back thousands of years.

I am always interested in clear expositions of alternative viewpoints, particularly when combined with a high view of Scripture.

The book, Genesis One Code shares another thing with my own studies of the Creation Narrative: a high respect and acceptance of modern science. An amazing thing has happened only within the past hundred years: Cosmology has moved from a religious, mystical, and — forgive me for saying it — superstitious concern, to a precise scientific discipline. The burning questions of the ages — Where did our world come from?, What is the origin of matter?, What are the stars, and how do they burn?, What is life, how does life sustain itself and pass its blueprint on to succeeding generations? — have all found answers within science just within the last, say, 60 years. I don’t say science has come up with the final answers, there is much more to do, but who would have thought that the superstitious and largely unrespected world of cosmology could have metamorphosed into a modern scientific discipline?

The book deals with the timeline of the universe, and relates it to the six days of creation in Genesis One. He does this according to Kabbalist tradition, which lays out a 13.74 billion year timeline (!) that he asserts exactly matches the timeline of science (13.75± 0.13 billion years, from NASA’s WMAP satellite) as revealed by modern astrophysics and the geological record. I leave it to you to see how he does this. Hint: “For the LORD a thousand years is as … a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4, cf. 2 Peter 3:8 ” One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day”).

Just to mention one specific thing. Both St. Augustine’s (and my own) analysis conclude that the word “water” is used in two different meanings in the Genesis account. The change comes between Day Two and Day Three. According to Mr. Friedmann’s analysis, the same change in meaning occurs in Kabbalistic teaching. Isn’t that enough to pique your interest?

I could say much more — Mr. Friedmann and I are in communication about a number of the fine points in his interpretation — but I’ll rest it at this. Whether or not you subscribe to Kabbalistic interpretation, this book is well worth your attention. Perhaps when all of my picayune comments are dealt with I might up my assessment to 5 stars.

When was the dawn of creation? Six-thousand years ago with a divine act or 14-billion years ago with the Big Bang? Friedmann does not try to influence readers one way or the other. The Genesis One Code is masterfully done and is sure to create a lot of controversy.

Think of it. The words of an 800-year old manuscript used to interpret Genesis, to predict and agree with what science has arrived at in the last decades. The meaning of such a discovery would be incredible. Read the book and judge for yourself.

What I enjoyed is that throughout the text Friedmann asks profound questions that are usually interpretively answered and amalgamates them with scientific knowledge that makes these beliefs more palatable to either the ambivalent or deeply invested reader. His ability to find and navigate through a grey area of interpretation is a feat in itself. By challenging two polarized truths Friedmann succeeds in offering a conflicting perspective in a way that is not threatening to a deeply religious or scientifically inclined individual. It seems he has found compromise in a debate that has raged since the intellectual revolution—a huge accomplishment in my eyes!

This book could cause a revolution.

“Those who struggle to balance faith and science regarding earth’s origins will want to read The Genesis One Code… This book could cause a revolution!”