Rabbi Avina said two [statements], Rabbi Berekhya said two, and the Rabbis said two. Rabbi Avina said: This orb of the sun is one of My attendants,19This is stated from the perspective of God. and when it emerges to the world, there is no creature that can feast its eyes upon it. That is what is written: “A river of fire emerged and flowed from before Him” (Daniel 7:10). Do I require your light?
Rabbi Aḥa said: “The Lord is desirous for the sake of His righteousness; He will make the Torah great and glorious” (Isaiah 42:21) – I commanded it only to accord you merit. Rabbi Avina said another [statement]: Lightning is one of the byproducts of the supernal fire, and its light shines from the end of the world to the other end. Do I require your light? Rabbi Aḥa said: “The Lord is desirous for the sake of His righteousness,” – as stated previously.
Rabbi Berekhya said: This orb of the eye, a person does not see via the white that is in it, but rather, via the black. The Holy One blessed be He said: If from the darkness I created light for you, do I require your light? Rabbi Aḥa said: “The Lord is desirous for the sake of His righteousness.” Rabbi Berekhya said another [statement]: “The earth was emptiness and disorder, [and darkness was upon the face of the deep]” (Genesis 1:2).
What is written thereafter? “God said: Let there be light; and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). The Holy One blessed be He said: If from the darkness I created light for you, do I require your light? Rabbi Aḥa said… The Rabbis said two [statements]: The Holy One blessed be He says to a child: ‘All those nine months that you were in your mother’s womb, I would illuminate for you; do I require your light?’
The Rabbis said another [statement]: “He reveals the profound and the obscure; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light rests with Him” (Daniel 2:22). The Holy One blessed be He said: The light rests with Me; do I require your light?