I first became aware of this whole thing in the context of the discussion of the International Date Line in halacha, which is a relatively popular contemporary halachic topic (likely due to the book on the topic by Kasher). And the "elephant in the room" of that discussion is that even the Rishonim believed in a flat earth, so their statements in this context don't match reality. And this is 1500 years after the Greeks were aware of the fact that the Earth is a sphere!
If חז״ל is wrong about any one thing, then everything they said is false and one can selectively pick any of their statements. Ergo, anything that contradicts חז״ל is by definition, kefira. That leads to ‘Modern’ Orthodoxy = kefira.
The above stream of logic is basic חרדי philosophy.
Not only did the Greeks know the Earth was a sphere but they did a rather decent job of calculating its size. They also knew the relative distances to the Moon and Sun (i.e., the ratios of distance). All due to some smart thinking and trigonometry.
I have a friend, an engineer, who truly believes the Earth is in a geocentric solar system!!! And yes, of course, we never really landed on the Moon. Based on my experience, I wouldn't doubt that some of the flat Earth people are engineers, too.
I am giving a talk about flat earth, the date line, and Alaska (!) on Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot.
Great piece, very interesting topic.
I first became aware of this whole thing in the context of the discussion of the International Date Line in halacha, which is a relatively popular contemporary halachic topic (likely due to the book on the topic by Kasher). And the "elephant in the room" of that discussion is that even the Rishonim believed in a flat earth, so their statements in this context don't match reality. And this is 1500 years after the Greeks were aware of the fact that the Earth is a sphere!
If חז״ל is wrong about any one thing, then everything they said is false and one can selectively pick any of their statements. Ergo, anything that contradicts חז״ל is by definition, kefira. That leads to ‘Modern’ Orthodoxy = kefira.
The above stream of logic is basic חרדי philosophy.
I mourn for the dead kids, who are innocent victims, but מגיע למשפחותם!
Not only did the Greeks know the Earth was a sphere but they did a rather decent job of calculating its size. They also knew the relative distances to the Moon and Sun (i.e., the ratios of distance). All due to some smart thinking and trigonometry.
I have a friend, an engineer, who truly believes the Earth is in a geocentric solar system!!! And yes, of course, we never really landed on the Moon. Based on my experience, I wouldn't doubt that some of the flat Earth people are engineers, too.
"a clear plastic dome over it representing the firmamen"
As you point out in your essay on the Sun's path, thr firmament is totally opaque!!