The creation of the heavens and the earth... it's a story that resonates deep within Jewish tradition, filled with wonder and the sheer power of the Divine. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating text of Jewish lore from the early Middle Ages, paints a vivid picture of this very moment. It's not just about the 'what,' but also the 'how' – the very mechanics, if you will, of the cosmos coming into being.
So, how did it happen? According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, the Holy One, blessed be He, extended His right hand and stretched forth the heavens. And with His left hand? He founded the earth. Can you imagine that? This powerful image is beautifully reflected in the verse from Isaiah 48:13: "Yea, mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I called unto them, they stood up together."
The text goes on to emphasize that both the heavens and the earth were created simultaneously. – not one before the other, but together, in a moment of perfect harmony. Genesis 2:1 tells us, "And the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their host."
But here's where it gets really interesting. The text raises a crucial question: Were the heavens and the earth truly "finished" in the sense that they no longer required God's constant care and attention? After all, Isaiah 66:1 states, "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." If God’s presence is so intimately intertwined with them, could they ever be truly complete and independent?
The answer, according to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, lies in understanding the word "finished" in a specific context. They were finished with reference to the original act of creation. The work of bringing them into existence, of calling them forth from nothingness, that was complete. The initial deed, the primordial act—it reached its culmination. Therefore, it is said, "And the heavens and the earth were finished."
It's a subtle but profound point. The creation was complete in its initial act, but the relationship between God and the cosmos remains ongoing, a continuous act of sustenance and providence.
What does this all mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that while the universe may seem vast and indifferent, it is, in its very essence, a product of divine intention and care. And maybe, just maybe, we too, are part of that ongoing creation, constantly being shaped and sustained by a force far greater than ourselves.