Scientific Accuracy in the Talmud and Midrash

Sefer HaBris (1:2:7) discusses statements of our Sages with regards to the sun, moon and stars and their paths through the heavens. He says that the statements of the Sages are not meant to be taken at their literal word. The reality is that they are comments that don't seem to make sense, as they were never meant to be taken literally. The same is true of all statements in the Talmud and Midrash which do not seem to make sense or are contradicted by our experience. We should understand that the Sages never meant them literally, but as an allusion to some wisdom or as a riddle or allegory. The authors of these statements themselves were well aware that the simple meaning of their words went against reality. They didn't care because they were focused on their intended message which was full of great wisdom which was true.

When our Sages write that a gnat entered the brain of Titus and after his death was found to be the size of a year old bird, weighing two pounds, with a copper mouth and iron claws they knew that a bird of this size could not possibly fit into the head of a person. They also knew that there was no reason for God to make such a miracle. If God wanted to bring pain to Titus He could have accomplished that without such a miracle. And why was its mouth of copper and its claws of iron? Why not the opposite?

Really they were teaching a lesson with regards to the ultimate downfall of Rome. Who will bring about the downfall and how. They intentionally hid their meaning from the masses as they knew that the other Sages would understand their intent and ignore the metaphor.

Ramchal , in Maamar al HaAggadoth, makes the same point. CL