Whether that is because it was a natural continuation from rabinical studies, or as another way to appreciate the profound mysteries of Yahveh, or simply as a way to escape the ghetto I don't know. I think that I understood your original point, though, and I'm glad that you posted. To continue the discussion, the absolute best book I have ever read on the subject is The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner. Read it, and you will see that evolution is happening all around us, right now. Perhaps they are less well known than Christian creationists, because Judaism is not an evangelizing faith.
Scientific scholarship is much appreciated, even revered, in Jewish culture.
Whether that is because it was a natural continuation from rabinical studies, or as another way to appreciate the profound mysteries of Yahveh, or simply as a way to escape the ghetto I don't know. To continue the discussion, the absolute best book I have ever read on the subject is The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner. Read it, and you will see that evolution is happening all around us, right now.