The first astronaut in space was Phileas Fogg. He was launched there in the imagination of Jules Verne, famed author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth. The launch took place in the year 1873 and became known world-wide through Verne’s masterpiece Around the World in 80 Days.
At the time, few people believed that such a journey would ever be possible. Indeed, even Verne was nervous as to whether his hero would indeed make it within the set time limit. In the end, Fogg’s money, courage, and English pluck, as well as the 24-hour time difference between the hemispheres made it possible for him to return on time, although he cut it fine.
Those involved in space exploration today do not think any more in terms of days, hours, minutes, or even seconds. Ilan Ramon z.l. and his fellow astronauts journeyed more than six million miles[1] in just 16 days, and though he was still in space, Ilan was only 16 minutes away from his earthly destination when he tragically departed from this world.
Space travel has introduced us to completely different dimensions of our existence. These new realms are not coming into consciousness as the result of a slow and steady development, nor are they emerging from what in retrospect seem to be obvious breakthroughs. At an ever increasing rate, we are starting to see revolutionary changes appearing in our world that no one would have even considered contemplating a few years ago. Suddenly, we realize that we are walking through the door of a new epoch before we even thought to ring the bell. “Proportionally” and in accordance with the normal rates of scientific development, it should have been impossible for people to fly a distance of several million miles in 16 days only a couple hundred years after the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk. Alvin Toffler in his remarkable book Future Shock tells us that there is widespread agreement among historians, archeologists, scientists, sociologists, economists, and psychologists that social and scientific processes are speeding up—far beyond our understanding or wildest dreams.[2]
The Kabbala tells us that a great acceleration will take place in the days prior to the messianic age. Just like the members of a Jewish home start hurrying on Friday afternoon to ensure that everything will be ready for Shabbath, so too the world starts to rush when the messianic age, the ultimate Shabbath, begins to approach. This idea is based on the verse: “I, God will accelerate it in its time.” [3] The “it” here, is understood to be an allusion to the messianic era.
In times of great instability, the possibility of the ultimate Shabbath becomes so overwhelming and appealing that it begins to force its way forward. But with great speed comes the risk of accidents. Trying to do too much in too little time, while perhaps necessary, increases the probability for error as this frequently entails a lack of proper preparation.
The greatest problem however, is that the overwhelming speed of our development relies heavily on technology that leaves very little for man himself to do. Most of the journey into space is pre-set by computers and beyond human control. Man, the original architect of the space shuttle and its numerous support systems (oxygen, insulation, fuel, electrics, etc.) slowly but surely subordinates himself to his own inventions and then loses his identity as man. Eventually, he turns himself into an instrument that takes care of his machines.
In an interview, Major Gagarin, the first Russian astronaut, was asked what was the most important event in his life. He promptly answered, “The twelfth of April when I became a member of the communist party.” This too was automatic. He had become part of a system that stripped him of his humanity. When a famous Dutch author met a man who spoke 12 languages, he paused for a moment and asked, “But do you also have something to say in these languages?” This is of the essence. After all, what is the purpose of knowing many languages when one has nothing to communicate? Just learning languages to be useful as a translator, but without thinking enough to say something interesting or inspirational in any language also hints at this trend of automatization.
Sending people into space to consequently reduce them into un-thinking robots is an embarrassment for all of mankind. The glorification of such a powerful and sophisticated space shuttle and the sad simplicity of such a man is too much to bear. When a man with the potential of Gagarin can truly see his official entry into the club of “yes-men” as the climax of his life, then we are at a most dangerous historical crossroads. He may have left the Earth’s atmosphere and traveled through space, but he never even began to expand his mind.
It was the great merit of Ilan Ramon z.l. that he lifted himself, and all of us with him, beyond the slightest possibility of becoming automatized. Not only did he stay beautifully human in space, but he elevated his humanity. He taught the Jewish people that one should not become an indistinguishable number among the many. He refused to go along with the “yes-men” who are obsessed with the gentile world, and who therefore call for the total secularization of Israel.
While in space Ilan emphasized the unique greatness of being Jewish, making sure to take a Sefer Torah, a Kiddush cup, and other religious items with him on his journey. His view was broader than many of his assimilated fellow Jews, and as such he made a kiddush Hashem, and no doubt left outer space for an even higher destination. May his memory be blessed.
[1] Jerusalem Post, February 5,2002.
[2] Alvin Toffler, Future Shock, Bodily Head, London, 1970.
[3] Isaiah 60:22, Zohar 1:116b-117a.
