Creation vs Evolution

Persons view

I once saw an article on genomes stating that man is just a raised ape.

Torah view

Yesh Meayin – Something from Nothing

The Ramban on Breishis says that Hashem’s creation of yesh meayin was the creation of the 4 yesodos (elements,) from which every physical entity is formed – eish (fire,) mayim (water,) avir (air) and afar (soil.) Every creature is made from a different combination of the four elements.

Four levels of creation

Ramban goes on to explain the 4 levels of creation

1. Domem (mineral)

2. Tzemach (plant)

3. Chai (animal)

4. Adam (human)

Each level has a unique and respectively higher essence

1. All contain Domem (mineral)

2. Tzemach (plant) has domaim and nefesh (living spirit)

3. Chai (animal) – has domem, nefesh and a nefesh hatnua (a moving spirit)

4. Adam (human) – has all the above plus a nefesh hamaskelet (intellectual spirit)

Conclusion

Therefore we do have common physical characteristics with the lower levels of existence and do resemble them in a physical sense, as we are all constructed of the same basic substances.

The difference is in the nefesh hamaskelet which is exclusively human. This is the nefesh that Hashem breathed into us and has no connection to the physical. This gives us the power of thought, speech and choice. In this we are completely removed from the physical and inhabit the spiritual.

Addendum

Each level of physical existence can only transcend its level by becoming a part of the next level up. So mineral is absorbed by plant, plant eaten by animal, animal by humans.

Humans have the ability to convert our physical entity into a spiritual one through mitzvos. Therefore, for example, Moshe went up to Shamayim for 40 days and nights, with no food.

Mineral, plant and animal can become spiritual by being offered as a korban.