Reply To: Short & Sweet

Bereishis: An Unfinished Work

Almost all of creation came into existence by the word of Hashem – He declared each thing should be, and it was. But man was created differently: by the hand, not the word, of Hashem.

Once spoken, a word can not be changed. However a hand can always continue to create. All of creation is set and fixed in its role, with one exception. The role and nature of a person is not predestined; each person decides, by their own choice, exactly what they will accomplish.

We know that man is created בצלם אלוקים. Obviously this can’t be referring to a physical similarity, because Hashem has no physical form. Rather it means that just like Hashem is a creator, man too can create. No other part of creation can act of its own free volition, deciding its own destiny.

לע״נ דוד חיים בן ישראל דוב הכהן
לע״נ ר׳ חיים דוב בן ר׳ בןציון שלום