Parshat Bereishit 24 Tishrei 5754 Saturday, October 9, 1993
Chaim S. Kaminetzky, National President
National Executive Director
Director, International Council of Young Israel
Sponsored by UMB Bank and Trust Company -- America's only Shomer Shabbat Bank
Guest Rabbi: Rabbi Shmuel Landesman Young Israel of Massapequa, New York
If Only We Realized
Almost all of us reading this article are Young Israel members. This does tend to indicate that we believe in G-d. While our belief inevitably wanes at times, we still generally believe in G-d; that He created the world, gave us the Torah, etc....
However, many of us do tend to wonder if G-d really believes in us- if He feels a connection, if He cares. We're not always too sure but we try to repress such doubts. We will often even believe we are not supposed to have these types of thoughts.
All of which is why this week's Parsha is so reassuring. So very reassuring. I would like to share, with regard to this issue, the (approach) of Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the Alter fun Slabodka (the Elder of Slabodka), one of the major Mussar personalities in the earlier part of this century. The Alter's legacy still impacts on us because his (disciples) founded Yeshivot ranging from Lakewood to Ner Israel, Chaim Berlin and Chofetz Chaim and were the Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Vodaath and the Mashgiach Ruchani at Yeshiva University.
The Torah recounts, in four separate places, man being of G-d's image: 1."And G-d created the man in His own image, in the image of G-d He created him (Bereishit 1:27)." 2. "This is the book of the generations of Adam in the day G-d created man in the likeness of G-d He made him (Bereishit 5:1)." 3. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of G-d He made man (Bereishit 9:6)." 4."[with regard to a sinner who received capital punishment] His body shall not remain all night upon the tree...for it is an insult unto G-d that he is hanged (Devarim 21:23). Rashi explains"It is a slight to the King because man is made in the exact likeness of His image."
Chazal continue with this theme. "Beloved is man, for he was created in G-d's image; it is indicative of a greater love that it was made known to him that he was created in G-d's image, as it was said....(Avot 3:18)". Chazal even incorporated this concept into the Sheva Berachot: "Who fashioned man in His image, in the image of His likeness."
Chazal also mention that G-d and His Beit Din (so to speak) deliberated and carefully planned each limb of Adam's body (Bereishit Rabbah 12). In fact, when the pasuk tells us "And [He] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Bereishit 2:7)", Chazal comment "From who (where) did [He] breathe, from Himself He breathed [life into man]".
The Midrash Rabbah records The Ribbono Shel Olam saying,"The [man] is Unique among the lower beings, just like I am Unique among the higher beings".
It says in Tehillim 8-"And You made him only a little less than G-d (or 'angels', depending on the commentary)". The Midrash relates that the angels made a mistake and wanted to pray to man. The source of man's Uniqueness is his ability to choose between good and bad (unlike the other creatures of the world).
Most of us have probably been unaware of these sources. All too often, we'll act not as fully in accordance with how we should (or we may even actually sin) because we are not really in touch with ourselves as holy and spiritual beings. The Gemarah Brachot 6A relates that HaKadosh Baruch Hu puts on tefillin (so to speak) that contain the verse, "And who is like you O nation of Israel a unique nation in the land". This metaphorical anecdote reveals the extent of HaShem's respect for the Jewish people. The Navi brings forth the verse, "I love them [the Jewish people] said G-d". This speaks for itself and needs no elaboration.
Many of us, though, when confronted with these very clear sources will respond that while there may have been real spiritual connnectedness and closeness back then, we don't see it nowadays. There is actually a basis for this approach in Chazal. It says in Gemarah Shabbat 112, "If the earlier ones (generations) were [like] angels we are [like] people, and if the earlier ones were people we are like donkeys".
However, the Alter of Slabodka counters this concern by pointing out that even in our "lowly" day and age we are still commanded to perform the (Torah Mitzvah) of "And you shall go in His [G-d's] ways". In other words, HaShem still feels we're capable of totally following His example. There is an additional mitzvah of --This is my G-d and I will glorify Him (Shmot 15)", upon which Chazal expounded -- "You should make yourself similar to Him [G-d] (Shabbat 133)".
The Alter also emphasizes the Gemarah (Sanhedrin 37). -- "A person is obligated to say the world was created for me". This is not intended to reinforce narcissistic tendencies. Rather, a person should use every opportunity in life (and in the world) as a catalyst to grow in one's (service to G-d). As stated before, the Uniqueness of man (and the feature that makes him most similar to G-d) is his (free will). As the world continues to grow in terms of population, technology, intellectual development, etc., there are so many more opportunities for us to make proper use of our free will to grow in our to become more similar to Him. Thus, these are really exciting and special times in which we have a very unique opportunity to become our true selves - the image of G-d. If only we realized.
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