Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: When a flesh-and-blood king builds a palace, after he builds the lower levels he builds the upper levels. But the Holy One blessed be He created the heavenly realm and the earthly realm with one creation. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says: When a flesh-and-blood king crafts a ship, first he brings the boards, then he brings cedars,44For the masts. then he brings the anchors, and then he brings the navigators. But the Holy One blessed be He created them [the creations of the world] and those that steer it [at once]. That is what is written: “So said God, the Lord, Creator of the heavens and who unfurled them [venoteihem]” (Isaiah 42:5) – “and their navigators [venavateihem] is written.