It’s a question that’s captivated mystics and theologians for centuries. Our tradition offers some pretty wild and wondrous answers!
According to Legends of the Jews, that incredible compilation of rabbinic lore by Louis Ginzberg, two thousand years before our familiar cosmos sprung into being, seven incredible things were already present.
First, there was the Torah itself. Not just the words, but the very scroll, "written with black fire on white fire," resting in God’s lap. Imagine that – the blueprint for everything, pre-existing creation itself!
Then came the Divine Throne, already established in the heavens above the Hayyot – those celestial, living creatures who carry God’s chariot, as described by Ezekiel.
And of course, Paradise and Hell, already prepared on God’s right and left, respectively, awaiting their future inhabitants.
Next, the Celestial Sanctuary, situated directly before God. Ginzberg tells us this wasn't just any sanctuary, but one adorned with a jewel bearing the name of the Messiah! And from this sanctuary emanated a Voice, constantly calling out: "Return, ye children of men." A powerful reminder of the possibility of repentance, even before humanity existed.
So, why these things? Why this particular order?
Well, the tradition suggests that when God decided to create the world, He consulted with the Torah. The Torah’s response? A king needs a kingdom! "O Lord," she said, "a king without an army and without courtiers and attendants hardly deserves the name of king, for none is nigh to express the homage due to him." God loved that answer. It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Before you can have subjects, you need a framework, a structure, a purpose. This divine consultation, as Ginzberg points out, also serves as a model for earthly rulers: seek counsel before acting.
But the Torah wasn't entirely sold on the idea of humanity. She knew we’d be prone to sin, to disregarding her precepts. So, God reassures her, explaining that teshuvah – repentance – was created long ago, offering a path back. The Temple service would provide atonement. Paradise and Hell would serve as incentive. And ultimately, the Messiah would arrive to bring complete salvation. A whole system of checks and balances, already in place.
And here's another fascinating tidbit: this world, our world, wasn't God's first attempt! According to the tradition, He created and destroyed several worlds before this one, because none pleased Him. It's a humbling thought, isn't it? That creation is a process, a series of iterations, until perfection – or at least something closer to it – is achieved.
But even this world, the one we inhabit, wouldn’t have lasted if God had stuck to pure, unadulterated justice. It was only when He combined justice with rachamim – mercy – that the world could endure. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, divine goodness is essential for existence. Without it, the forces of evil would have overwhelmed humanity.
And this goodness manifests in countless ways. Take the seasons, for example. According to Ginzberg, in Nisan (the spring equinox), the seraphim intimidate the evil spirits, preventing them from harming humans. In Tammuz (the summer solstice), the roar of the behemot (a primordial beast) frightens the wild animals, curbing their ferocity. In Tishri (the autumn equinox), the great bird ziz flaps its wings, terrifying birds of prey. And in Tevet (the winter solstice), the sea becomes restless as leviathan (another primordial sea monster) spouts water, causing the big fish to restrain their appetite. These aren't just fanciful stories; they're metaphors for the constant, subtle interventions that maintain balance in the world.
And what about the Jewish people? Well, according to this tradition, we wouldn't have survived the ages without divine protection. The archangels Michael and Gabriel are our designated guardians. When other nations accuse Israel, these angels defend us, inspiring fear in our accusers and preventing them from acting on their evil designs.
Ultimately, the goal is for divine goodness to reign on earth as it does in heaven. To that end, the Angels of Destruction are kept far away, while the Angels of Mercy surround God’s throne, ready to act on His behalf.
So, what does this all mean for us today? Perhaps it's a reminder that even in the face of chaos and uncertainty, there's a deeper order, a divine plan unfolding. That even before creation, the seeds of redemption were already sown. And that even in our imperfect world, goodness, mercy, and the possibility of return are always present. Perhaps the real work is recognizing them, and allowing them to guide our own actions.