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Last update - 00:00 17/06/2007 Father of modern science calculated: World to end in 2060 By Ofri Ilani At the top of the ancient, densely written English manuscript a verse in Hebrew stands out: "Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom for ever." Other pages contain sketches of the Temple and calculations of the end of the world, based on verses from the Book of Daniel. The author of these mysterious ruminations was not a sorcerer nor a religious fanatic but none other than Isaac Newton, the 17th-century mathematician and physicist considered the most influential scientist of all time. Newton's original theological and mystical writings will be on display in a special exhibition entitled "Newton's Secrets," opening today at the National Library at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This is the first time the manuscripts, in Israel since 1969, have been presented to the public. A digital version of some of the letters can be seen on the National Library's site: at www.tinyurl.com/28ervr. One of the most intersting manuscripts is a letter from 1704, in which Newton calculates that the world will end in 2060, based on a phrase from Daniel 12:7 "for a time, times, and a half." Newton interpreted this phrase as meaning 1,260 years would pass from the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire by Charlemagne in 800, until the End of Days. Advertisement According to the exhibit's curator, Professor Yemima Ben-Menachem of the Hebrew University Philosophy Department, "For a long time, Newton was regarded only as a great scientist and mathematician. These writings lay in crates and did not bother scholars, but today we're in the New Age period, and scholars are more open to manuscripts like these. 'The subject of the end of the world is also of interest to many people, and there are some who would say that if Newton predicted the end would come in 2060, maybe he knew something we don't know." How did Newton's writings end up at the Hebrew University? According to Ben-Menachem, his heirs were not interested in his theological writings, and Sotheby's auctioned them in 1936. The British economist John Maynard Keynes acquired them. He bequeathed them to Kings College, Cambridge, in England, and to the Jewish Oriental studies scholar Abraham Shalom Yahuda. Before the latter's death in 1951, he bequeathed them to the State of Israel. An academic conference on Newton will also be held at Jerusalem's Van Leer Institute, presenting new studies on Newton's scientific and religious world. The exhibit and conference will shed light on aspects of the scientist's thinking that do not fit his better known rational bent. "During the scientific revolution, religion and science were entwined with each other," Ben-Menachem explains. "Scientists of the 17th century did not fight religion; most scientific giants were religious. Newton was also a very religious man and, as opposed to other learned people of his day, he even believed in a personal God. "Newton understood nature as a book that we can decipher, as the Holy Scriptures are read. He considered himself a kind of prophet of the natural sciences. In both these areas he looked for the hidden message to be unraveled." On Tuesday at Van Leer, Professor Mark Steiner of the Hebrew University's Philosophy Department will speak on Newton's attempts to calculate the biblical measurement known as the cubit, based on verses in Ezekiel. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Egypt-Syria rift The Gaza situation demands more than a truce. It demands pan-Arab reconciliation. No Talking to Hamas Livni rejects offer to contact Hamas via Russia for Gaza truce talks.   1.   fine; i will be dead by then 01:28  |  Alex 18/06/07   2.   Abraham Shalom Yahuda 01:50  |  Boozaglow 18/06/07   3.   Father Ytsik thank you 06:52  |  Tamar 18/06/07   4.   NO, YAHUDA WAS AN IRAQI JEW,NOT EGYPTIAN.VELKOVSKY CHALLENGED FRE 06:53  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 18/06/07   5.   time times and a half a time 07:09  |  joe barnathan 18/06/07   6.   A Christian but not a wise one 07:41  |  Yohanna 18/06/07   7.   time times and a half a time 07:54  |  joe barnathan 18/06/07   8.   World without end Amen 09:00  |  Magdila 18/06/07   9.   Newton and the end of world 2060 13:02  |  Torstein Langesaeter 18/06/07   10.   The End 02:11  |  Padraig 19/06/07   11.   Newton and the end of the World 2060 04:41  |  Chester Nichols 19/06/07   12.   Newton and the messianic age in 2060 02:27  |  Noel Rude 22/06/07   13.   it is not true 10:06  |  faisal sahar 23/08/07   14.   Newton 22:48  |  ZackLee 16/03/08   15.   Newtons theroy of the Apocalypse 18:23  |  Eric 18/07/08   16.   END OF WORLD 17:21  |  CALEB MIZINGA 05/01/09

Read & React Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff: How much time does the IDF have left in Gaza? Responses: 39 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza Responses: 40 Amira Hass: Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours Responses: 57 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement Responses: 56 Amir Oren: What's happening in Gaza is neither war nor occupation Responses: 19 More Headlines 16:35 Livni: Israel will no longer show restraint when attacked 12:45 Egypt to demand Hamas accept immediate truce in Gaza 17:20 Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel 15:33 6 IDF soldiers wounded in Gaza battles; army hits 30 Hamas targets 17:15 Gaza rocket strikes empty kindergarten in Ashdod 09:26 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 12:15 IDF shell kills Palestinian family of seven near Gaza City 09:27 ANALYSIS / Will Gaza deal share fate of failed Lebanon accord? 12:43 Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours 10:28 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement 14:09 Despite ruling, Israel prevents foreign journalists from entering Gaza 13:40 Court orders home of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist sealed off 09:42 Israel seeks to isolate Hamas in cease-fire talks with Europe 14:37 Hamas official: We must lay foundation for a tomorrow without Zionists 10:38 ANALYSIS / How much time is left for the IDF to operate in Gaza? 09:59 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza 09:26 IDF general warns of Hezbollah retaliation against North 04:29 Gaza war sparks tensions for Israeli Arab soccer team 06:36 In the south, support for Gaza op is far from unanimous 14:51 Netivot mayor demands to have pre-school centers in bomb shelters 16:58 9/11 plotter ordered bombing of Tunisia synagogue, French prosecutors say Previous Editions Select Day 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec

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