Educational Insights from Parashat Bereishit — When I Do Not Have the “Tool”

- What should be done with him / her? It is a dead end! We cannot find the effective “tool”!

- What place is there in the world for those who, seemingly, the world does not appear to need or require? Or who even interfere with it and harm it?

- Are there people for whom hope has run out?

- Everyone recoils at the mere mention of the Angel of Death. Can one say that the Angel of Death is something “good,” or even “very good”?

About this and more — with a wondrous and clear perspective in our parashah:

Regarding all the creations that were created during the first five days of Creation, it is said that they are good: “וירא אלוקים כי טוב” — “And God saw that it was good.” But regarding the creations of the sixth day, on which man was created, it says: “וירא אלוקים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאוד” (Bereishit 1:31) — “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”

The holy Or HaChaim explained that the reason for this is that man is the one who gives meaning to all of Creation, and these are his words: “Meaning, through the creation of man, His work as a whole is seen to be good; for if there is no man, what benefit is there in all the arrangement, in all the Creation, and in the plants of the earth? For the discernible quality of goodness is recognizable only through man, for through him the good is recognized and distinguished, and he gives thanks to the Benefactor.”

It is clear from his holy words that the purpose of all of Creation was for the creation of man, and the entire purpose of man’s creation is so that he should come to thank the Holy One, blessed be He, for all the goodness in Creation.

It would seem that the holy Or HaChaim was troubled by the following: why did the Torah return and say again, “וירא אלוקים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאד” — “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good”? After all, regarding the entire Creation — aside from man — it had already said, “וירא אלוקים כי טוב” — “And God saw that it was good.” Why, then, was it necessary to repeat and double the expression, “all that He had made”?

To this he explained that the entire purpose and essence of Creation is defined as something “good” only after the creation of man, who has — and only he has — the ability, wisdom, and understanding to grasp the good found in every thing that exists in Creation; and for this, gratitude is offered to the One Who bestowed that good upon him. Yet regarding man the Creator said, “והנה טוב מאוד” — “and behold, it was very good.” The question is: why?

On this, the Or HaChaim explained: “For at the time of man’s creation, Hashem looked upon the righteous (Bereishit Rabbah 8:4), and this is what it means when it says, ‘וירא, והנה טוב’ — ‘And He saw, and behold, it was good’ — these are the righteous. And although He looked upon the wicked as well, for them too He prepared and made a rectification for their creation, and this is what is meant by ‘מאוד’ — ‘very.’ And our Sages, of blessed memory, said (Zohar, vol. 2, 68b): ‘מאוד’ — ‘very’ — refers to the Angel of Death, through whom the created beings who incline away from the path of reason are rectified.” See there.

Thus, it is clear from his wondrous words that for every person, even the most wicked, the Creator fashioned a course, a path, a rectification, an essence, and a purpose for his creation here in this world. For even the pinnacle of evil, called the “Angel of Death,” has an essence and a purpose: to return the creatures to their Creator through their fear of him. And even that created being who appears, or is called by people, wicked, empty, damaged, or lacking substance, has the ability and the role to see the good in everything that the Creator created in Creation, for it was created for his sake; and about him — and only about him — it is said: “וירא אלוקים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאוד” — “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”

I heard from one distinguished Torah scholar who was present in the home of our master, Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman zatzal, when a bitter and frustrated Jew entered to see him. He was upset that he was failing in severe transgressions that the page cannot bear to describe, and he could find no remedy for his soul.

Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib heard him and responded: “And that is it?”

When the man expressed his astonishment, he asked again: “And that is it??” He then explained his intent: is that alone everything you do? [The meaning of the words was to ask whether he also does good things.] Once the man understood, he replied: “No! I do other things as well.” Then our master, Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib, extended his hand to him and dismissed him in peace.

In later days, that Jew testified that although he had gone around to many psychologists and mental-health doctors, no one helped him as much as that one word that our master, Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib, said to him. It made an indescribable impression on his soul and brought about a genuine transformation, as he understood that he must also look at the good he does and not call himself a completely wicked person — for then the understanding naturally arises that, God forbid, his hope has run out.

We have learned from here, dear parents and educators:

A. All of Creation was created for every Jew, without exception — even for one who is completely wicked.

B. As paradoxical as it sounds, even the Angel of Death is “good,” and even “very good.”

C. Every Jew, at any age, has a great, unique, and meaningful role in Creation that is intended only for him. Therefore, from time to time, one should encourage him with the fact that he has a great role in the world, which he is already fulfilling today.

D. Even if, as a parent or educator, I have not found the right tool to penetrate his heart, and to direct and guide him properly, it certainly exists.

E. And most important of all — always proceed with the feeling and faith that the Creator has already paved a path for him, for “He looked upon the wicked, and for them too He prepared and made a rectification for their creation,” in the words of the holy Or HaChaim. The very faith in this will generate wonderful trust in the young person, and without a doubt it will greatly influence him.

Rabbi Michael Zachariahu

Spiritual Director at the Torat David Yeshiva Gedolah and Chairman of the “Legiono Shel Melech” organization