About the usefulness of the spine

The spine was created for four benefits. One of them is that the spine gives passage to the spinal cord, which is necessary to maintain the life of the animal, for the spinal cord has inherent utility, which we will talk about in detail in its place. Here we will mention this in general terms. The fact is that if all the nerves grew from the brain, then the head would necessarily have to be much larger than it is, and it would undoubtedly be difficult for the body to carry it. In addition, the nerve would have to travel a long distance to reach the most distant extremities of the body, and would be in danger of damage and rupture. The length of the nerve would weaken its ability to attract heavy members to their origin. Therefore, the Creator, may his name be exalted, showed mercy and lowered part of the brain, that is, the spinal cord, into the lower half of the body like a stream from a source, so that some nerves diverged from it along the sides and to the end of the body, in accordance with their location opposite the organs or near them. The spine is then created as a secure passage for the spinal cord.

The second utility is that the spine provides armor and protection for the important members located in front of it. Therefore, it is created with needles and thorns.

Third utility: the spine is created to be the basis for all the bones of the body, like that beam that is first laid when building a ship, and then the rest of the wooden parts are stuck into it and tied to it. Therefore, the spine is created to be rigid.

Fourth utility: so that a person can stand independently and straight and be able to move in different directions. For this purpose, the spine is created with vertebrae strung on it, and not in the form of one bone or several bones of significant size, and the joints between the vertebrae are made inflexible, so as not to weaken the strength of the spine, and not motionless, so as not to impede flexion.