Building up, step by step.

But what about the Holy One, blessed be He? How did He create?

Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating perspective, using Psalm 113:3, "From the rising of the sun until its setting..." as a springboard. The Midrash contrasts human creation with divine creation. When we, flesh and blood, make an image, we start with the head and end with the feet, or vice versa. It's a process. But not so with God.

The Midrash tells us that when God makes man, He shapes him all at once, as Jeremiah 10:16 says, “…for He is the One Who formed everything…” It’s instantaneous, encompassing "from the rising of the sun until its setting," a complete and unified act.

And where did this all begin? According to the Midrash, creation springs forth from Zion, from Jerusalem. Psalm 50:2 states, "From Zion, the finery (miclal) of beauty..." The Midrash cleverly connects the word miclal—meaning "finery" or "perfection"—to the very act of creation. It suggests that creation emerges m’clal, "from out of" the beauty of the world.

What does "appeared" mean in this context? "Illuminated," the Midrash explains. Appearance is always associated with light, like in Job 37:15: “…and causes the light of His cloud to appear.” The Midrash links the miclal mentioned here to the completion of creation described in Genesis 2:1, where it says “Now the heavens and the earth were completed (vay’chulu)…” It’s a beautiful weaving together of texts, revealing a profound connection between Zion, beauty, and the very act of creation.

But what about destruction? The Midrash doesn't shy away from this difficult topic. Just as creation began in Zion, so too will destruction begin there, as Jeremiah 9:10 warns: "And I will make Jerusalem heaps of ruin…" and afterwards, "All the land shall be a desolation…" (Jeremiah 4:27) Micah 7:13 echoes this sentiment: "And the land shall become desolate with its inhabitants…" It’s a sobering reminder of the fragility of our world.

Yet, the Midrash doesn't leave us in despair. It offers a message of hope, a promise of renewal. Just as destruction begins in Zion, so too will renewal. The Midrash concludes by quoting Isaiah 2:2: “…the mountain of the Lord's house shall be firmly established at the top of the mountains…” At the time when the Holy One renews His world, He will renew it from Zion.

So, what does all this mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that even in the face of destruction and despair, there is always the potential for renewal. That even when things seem broken beyond repair, the light of creation can emerge once more, shining forth from Zion, from the heart of the world. Maybe it's also an encouragement to consider how we create, and to strive for a wholeness and beauty in our own actions, inspired by the divine example.