The universe is a vast, seemingly endless expanse, and yet, here we are, tiny humans on a small planet, contemplating our existence. It’s a question that has plagued philosophers and theologians for millennia. And wouldn't you know it, Jewish tradition has some pretty amazing answers.
One fascinating story, found in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, delves into the very moment of humanity's creation and the celestial debate that preceded it. It paints a picture of angels, initially resistant to the idea of humankind. Can you imagine? The angels, beings of pure light and spirit, questioning God's plan!
The story goes that God, in His infinite wisdom, only revealed part of the picture to the angels. He showed them the potential for piety, for goodness, for the incredible acts of kindness and compassion that humans are capable of. But, crucially, He kept the other half hidden: the potential for evil, for wrongdoing, for the darkness that can also reside within the human heart.
Even with only half the story, the angels were hesitant. They cried out, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:5). It's a powerful question, isn't it? What makes us so special? Why would the Creator of the universe pay attention to these fragile, flawed beings?
God's response is equally profound. He points out the inherent purpose in creation. "The fowl of the air and the fish of the sea, what were they created for? Of what avail a larder full of appetizing dainties, and no guest to enjoy them?" In other words, what good is a beautiful, bountiful world if there's no one to appreciate it, to experience it, to learn from it? Think about that for a moment. A world without eyes to see its beauty, without hands to till its soil, without minds to ponder its mysteries.
The angels, upon hearing this, relented. They exclaimed, "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! Do as is pleasing in Thy sight." They recognized the divine wisdom, the inherent value in creating beings capable of appreciating and interacting with the world.
It's a story about perspective, isn’t it? The angels only saw the potential for imperfection, for deviation from the divine. God saw something more: the potential for growth, for connection, for a unique relationship with creation.
And it makes you wonder, what do we see when we look at ourselves and each other? Do we focus on the flaws, the shortcomings, the potential for failure? Or do we see the spark of the divine, the capacity for love, for creativity, for making the world a better place? Maybe, just maybe, understanding our purpose is about embracing both sides of the story – the light and the dark – and striving to live up to the potential that God saw in us from the very beginning.