Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin) |
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
Date: 12/1/2017, 1:54 AM |
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com |
The Mishna in Avos (6;11) says everything that Hashem created in the world He only created for His Honor .
This Mishna is extremely difficult to understand as we all know that Hashem doesn't need or lack anything so how can we add to His Honor? How is it that the entire creation is for His honor?
Although a few books could be written on this topic (and there are), on a somewhat superficial level we can understand this in the following way:
The world is created and run in a way for us too see the Honor of Hashem. He wanted to create the world in such a way so we could have a deeper understanding of Him by understanding His Honor. As we look out and understand the world it can bring us to a deeper understanding of G-d's Honor. Furthermore, our job is to help increase the revelation of this Honor. Again, not for Hashem's sake, but for our own sake so we can have a closer connection and understanding. How though do we increase His honor? The Jewish People are Hashem's Chosen People, in some sense we are Hashem's representatives in this world. It is to us that He gave the Torah and it is our responsibility to live accordingly. Every time we do something in this world it can either add or subtract to that Honor. People know you are Jewish and expect G-d's People to act in a certain way, if we do then this increase His Honor in the world, by showing the commitment and devotion of His Chosen People. On the other hand, if G-d Forbid someone acts in a way that is unbecoming of a Jew, that doesn't follow the Torah or G-d's Will then this Honor is so to speak, diminished.
Shabbat Shalom,
Heath