Radak on Genesis : Creation, Humanity, and Torah ■ 41 Hence, precisely because scientists debate whether or not the world will end, our commentator allows for either possibility . Radak’s ambivalence toward Maimonides’ stance finds further expression elsewhere . According to the psalmist, God “established the earth on its foundation so that it would not falter ‘olam va - ‘ed ” ( Ps 104 : 5 ) . Maimonides contends that the phrase ‘olam va - ‘ed ( often rendered, “forever and ever” ) means “without end . ” The verse, accordingly, means to say that the natural order will never cease ( Guide 2 : 28 [ 334 – By contrast, Radak insists—albeit in an independent context ( Ps 9 : 6 ) —that . ) ] 35 ‘olam va - ‘ed merely denotes a longer period of time than does the word ‘olam alone . The expression, therefore, need not indicate eternity . Similarly, where the prophet affirms that Israel will be redeemed ‘olamim and that it will not be shamed ‘ad ‘oleme ‘ad ( Isa 45 : 17 ) , Radak explains that t...
To the book