Do UFOs Prove Aliens Exist? A Scientific and Jewish View, Part II

Yuval asks: "I have often come across pictures and video clips of flying saucers. Is there any scientific evidence for the existence of aliens? What does Judaism say about their existence?"

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It is well known that every military constantly develops new technologies, and that armies do not rush to reveal their technological achievements to other countries. Many projects remain classified for decades under the label "secret."

It may surprise many, that the United States military has experimented with technologies resembling flying saucers since the time of World War II. Some of these aircraft were kept hidden from the public for many years.

One such vehicle was called the VZ-9 Avrocar. It was built in the 1950s as part of a secret military project. Today it is displayed in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. The government later claimed that the project failed, but one might reasonably wonder whether a government would publicly report the success of a new and advanced surveillance aircraft.

Anyone who looks at photographs of these military prototypes will notice how similar they appear to the flying saucers often shown in photographs and videos. Interestingly, older images of flying saucers from the 1940s tend to depict heavy and mechanical looking craft, while more recent images from the 1980s and later show sleeker and more refined designs. This could mean that the imagination of hoaxers improved over time or that military aircraft technology continued to advance.

In any case, such images do not prove the existence of extraterrestrials.

These images only show a UFO, which means an unidentified flying object. In most cases they are either hoaxes or simple cases of mistaken identification. There is no compelling reason to conclude that such aircraft came from another planet.

Could God Create Life Elsewhere?

Judaism does not explicitly rule out the possibility that God created other forms of life. In fact Jewish sources speak about various kinds of beings within creation and in higher spiritual realms.

Angels in Jewish Tradition

Angels are spiritual messengers of God. They can appear in different forms and sometimes take on the appearance of human beings in order to fulfill their missions. For example three angels appeared to Avraham, and an angel wrestled with Yaakov.

Jewish tradition describes several types of angels such as ministering angels, cherubim, seraphim, holy creatures, and other spiritual beings. These beings do not possess free will. In a certain sense they function as instruments through which God carries out His will within creation.

Because God is infinitely beyond human perception, angels often serve as intermediaries. As the Torah states, no human being can see God directly and live. Only Moshe, the greatest of the prophets, experienced a prophetic revelation of God without an angelic intermediary.

Other Intelligent Creatures

The sages also spoke about other unusual beings called shedim, often translated as spirits or demons. According to the Talmud they eat, drink, reproduce, and die like humans, yet they also possess unusual abilities such as traveling swiftly from one end of the world to the other.

It is difficult to fully understand these descriptions. If humanity were ever to discover other intelligent beings, some have suggested that they might resemble what the sages referred to as these mysterious creatures.

Humanity’s Unique Role

Even if other intelligent beings exist somewhere in the universe, this would not diminish the unique role of humanity. According to the Torah, the human being is the crown of creation because humans were created in the image of God.

Human beings possess free will and the ability to choose between good and evil. This capacity allows a person to grow spiritually and even surpass purely spiritual beings that lack free choice.

The universe is not a random arena where different species compete. Rather it is a purposeful and carefully ordered system. God created the world with wisdom and intention so that humanity could reach spiritual perfection.

The Purpose of Creation

According to Jewish thought many types of beings exist in creation, both physical and spiritual. All of them operate together within a precise and balanced order directed toward a higher purpose. God governs them all in order to bring the world toward redemption and spiritual fulfillment.

The prophet Yirmiyahu expresses this idea by saying that if not for God’s covenant day and night, the laws of heaven and earth would not endure.

If other intelligent beings exist, they likely lack the kind of moral free will given to humanity. They would therefore resemble animals in that respect. Intelligence alone does not necessarily imply the ability to choose between good and evil.

As explained in the work Sefer HaBrit, even if other worlds contain beings with knowledge and understanding, they would not possess the unique freedom required for Torah and divine service. For this reason the human world remains the central arena of spiritual purpose.

God’s Absolute Sovereignty

All created beings, physical or spiritual, are bound by the laws of the universe established by God. Even the most exalted spiritual beings remain limited before the eternal and infinite Creator who sustains them.

God alone exists everywhere and at all times. He governs every creature and every action. As the prophet declares, the heavens and the earth are filled with His presence.

All forces in creation operate only through His will. Without His sustaining power they would cease to exist instantly. Even angels who once questioned the giving of the Torah could not prevent it.

Looking for Intelligence in the Wrong Place

The Torah warns people not to look at the sun, moon, and stars and imagine that they possess independent power. According to the commentary of Nachmanides these celestial bodies may have spiritual forces associated with them, but none should ever replace the Creator Himself.

Is it not ironic that some people search the heavens for intelligent life while overlooking the ultimate source of all intelligence, the Creator of the universe who fills every world and every realm?

The true message is simple: There is a God. And because God exists, we are not alone in the universe.