For the Sake of the World You Were Created

On the Jewish calendar, we are rapidly closing out the 51st week of the year and preparing to enter 5,783 with a clean slate. This week, though it tends to be overshadowed by Rosh Hashanah, is the week of creation we read about in Genesis. From the revelation of light to the formation of our ever-perplexing universe, this amazing week reaches its pinnacle through the creation of humankind.

However, if it is for the sake of serving and praising the Creator¹ that humans were created, it would appear (at least collectively), that we're a little off course. At present, the world seems a little more divided, a little less healthy, and a little more disconnected from this purpose.

We may ask, aside from creating a personal escape hatch for oneself, "what good will individual repentance do in such a situation?"

Tradition tells us that humanity was created and placed in this deficient world for the explicit purpose of 'fixing-it'. Additionally, it is through this work that we are engaged in seeking the Creator². This is to say, the greater the work to be done and obstacles to overcome - the closer we draw to G_D.

With this perspective, perhaps we are not so far off course after all? It might seem, then, that we are exactly where we need to be - and - that we have been given an incredible opportunity!

In this time of division and deception, it is we that have been entrusted with the ancient and sacred mission of tikkun olam - in all of its meaning. As children of Hashem, we have indeed been given the tools to impact our corner of the earth, be it through charity, prayer, repentance, or maybe the genuine promise to at least try to do a little better this year.

Through these we may come to realize that we have had the power all along. An alleged passage from a particular Galilean Rabbi captures this idea quite well:

"... If those who lead you say to you, See, the kingdom is in the sky, then the birds of the air will precede you. If they say to you, It is in the sea, then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty. -Thomas 3

Though we face insurmountable odds, this is the time of year we reach into our pocket and say, 'for the sake of the world was I created'³.

It is with this I encourage all of you, whether you observe Rosh Hashanah or not, to continue to strive forward, carrying the world on your shoulders, and effecting change and renewal wherever you find yourself.

Prepare for the year ahead by developing and strengthening your emunah (faith). I think we're going to need it.

Shanah tovah u'metukah!
(May you have a good and sweet new year)

Notes:

¹ The words in Hebrew in Genesis 2:15 are literally to work/serve/praise and protect/guard:

ויקח יהוה אלהים את־האדם וינחהו בגן־עדן לעבדה ולשמרה
"G_D settled the Human in the garden of Eden, to till it and tend it."

²  "Man was created to seek the Creator…He was placed between perfection and deficiency, however, attaining perfection must be through his own free choice, and will." - Ramchal, Derech Hashem, Part 1 3:1

³ “Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that they can reach into the one or the other, depending on the need.When feeling high and mighty one should reach into the left pocket, and find the words: “I am but dust and ashes.”But, when feeling lowly and depressed, discouraged or disconsolate, one should reach into the right pocket, and, there, find the words: “For my sake was the world created.” - Rabbi Simcha Bunem