---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How can we draw nearer to HaShem’s throne…"
description: "\"“How can we draw nearer to HaShem’s throne without a living parietal lobe to navigate space? How can we see his glorious light without the rods and con..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/shmuel-pernicone-40661_life_how-can-we-draw-nearer-to-hashem-s-thron_1102128.jpg"
---

#  How can we draw nearer to HaShem’s throne without a living…

![“How can we draw nearer to HaShem’s throne without a living parietal lobe to navigate space? How can we see his glorious light without the rods and cones that color our visual cortex? How can we learn and appreciate Torah with sages past without an all-too-human neocortex to effect higher thinking…” quote by Shmuel Pernicone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/shmuel-pernicone-40661_life_how-can-we-draw-nearer-to-hashem-s-thron_1102128.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/shmuel-pernicone-40661_life_how-can-we-draw-nearer-to-hashem-s-thron_1102128.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/shmuel-pernicone-40661_life_how-can-we-draw-nearer-to-hashem-s-thron_1102128.jpg)

> ““How can we draw nearer to HaShem’s throne without a living parietal lobe to navigate space? How can we see his glorious light without the rods and cones that color our visual cortex? How can we learn and appreciate Torah with sages past without an all-too-human neocortex to effect higher thinking and comprehend language? How can we even register any reward at all without the dopamine receptors spiraling across our nervous system?8 We can’t, and we should not disrespect these serious teachings by taking them to mean something so scientifically backwards and absurd. Dare I say, we don’t have the time. As the Rambam implied and Rabbi Sacks stated, 'If a Biblical narrative is incompatible with established scientific fact, it is not to be read literally.””

[Shmuel Pernicone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shmuel-pernicone/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human cognition is limited; interpreting divine concepts through scientific lenses can be misguided, so literal readings of scripture may conflict with established facts.

**In simple terms:** Our brains can’t fully grasp divine mysteries, so literal interpretation may clash with science.

Key Takeaway

Accept limits of human understanding.

Themes

faith science interpretation

Mood

thoughtful contemplative

Type

philosophical theological

When to use this quote

- religious study
- scientific education
- interfaith dialogue

Key Concepts

Epistemology theology cognitive limits

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance faith with scientific knowledge?
- When should metaphor replace literal reading?

A Different Perspective

Literal readings can ignore deeper metaphorical meanings.

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[Appreciate Torah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciate-torah-2893231/) [Human Neocortex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-neocortex-2893230/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nervous system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous-system/) [Rambam Implied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rambam-implied-2893228/) [Scientifically Backwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientifically-backwards-2893229/) [Torah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torah/)

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