[wycats]

I don't agree that all orthodox jews subscribe to it, although I do agree that it's a commonly held belief.

The universal values held by Orthodox Jews are the articles of faith of Maimonides ("Rambam")[1], which are included in regular prayers. Maimonides is, as a result, extremely well regarded among Orthodox Jews as a source of values.

Maimonides took the position that Genesis (Bereishis) was to be considered allegorical when its plain reading conflicted with science[2]. This was a source of debate among his contemporaries, and it's uncontroversially the case that he strongly believed this.

As a former Orthodox Jew, I don't think that Orthodox Jews are doing themselves any favors by teaching their children that if they believe that the Torah is not in conflict with science, they are violating basic, universal Orthodox values when Maimonides disagrees with that point of view.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maimonides#The_13_principles_o...

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegorical_interpretations_of...