Creative Pursuit

    As we look out on our world today, I begin to realize that we seek an instant response to everything we do. When we want instant entertainment we simply click on a TV remote. When we are worried or agitated we take a tranquilizer to achieve instant comfort. We are impatient with the basic idea of growth and maturation that requires time and effort.  We begin to believe that every moment in life can bring instant bliss, and then reality sets in and we become discouraged by the fact that this is not the truth of life and begin to invest more time and effort to produce the true life of Blessing. 

    It is precisely at this juncture of life that one turns to our Torah for guidance and for a reality check. 

    Our Torah reading this week Tazriah/ Metzorah, opens with the words אשה כי תזריע and goes on to discuss the beauty and the miracle of birth. There is no doubt that the act of childbirth is the most significant creative act in human life. The Torah emphasis this idea realizing that man was created in the image of G-D and just as Hashem  is the creator of the world we are implored to imitate the ways of G-D.  Therefore, man/woman become their own creators in the family world. 

   The most G-D like of all human activities is that of creativity. 

  In this creative pursuit, we begin to realize that all our efforts may fall short of our goals, but with greater perseverance we can succeed to see life's design become a realistic venture.

         It is worthwhile to note that the next Mitzvah discussed in this week’s parsha is the law of Circumcision. Reflecting on this Mitzvah, I remember the words of Rabbi Norman Lamm, as he relates a fascinating conversation between the vicious Roman commander Turnus Rufus and the revered Rabbi Akiva. Turnus Rufus  asked Rabbi Akiva, "Which is more beautiful, the work of G-D or the work of man?"

  Rabbi Akiva answered, "The work of man." Rufus was visibly disturbed by the answer and continued, “Why do you circumcise your children?”Rabbi Akiva replied, “My first answer serves as an answer to this question as well.” Whereupon Rabbi Akiva brought before the Roman commander stalks of wheat and loaves of bread, saying to the Roman, "Behold these are the works of G -D and these are the works of man. Are not the works of man more beautiful and useful?" Said the Roman to Rabbi Akiva, "But if G-D wants people to be circumcised, why are they not born circumcised?" Rabbi Akiva  replied, "G-D gave the Mitzvot to the Jewish People, Lezaref Bahem, to temper and purify His people through this Mitzvah." 

  Rabbi Akiva’s statement is what Judaism is all about. Torah and Mitzvot are based upon the premise that Hashem withheld perfection from His creation.  He only began the task and left it to man/woman, His created images, to complete His creation. 

 

    We can, therefore, understand our Tafkid in life, by reflecting on the fact that G-D created the world for man "TO DO.” 

     It is evident what Hashem is saying, “I created the world, now it is your job to do something with it, and to make it more beautiful and more perfect.” 

   This is a seemingly, burdensome and difficult task, but if Hashem is entrusting the world to us, then we must trust that He really believes we can do it. 

   The question I pose to each one of us, "Are we up to the task?" Hopefully the answer is a resounding, "Yes, it is for this reason that we were created.”  

                                                 חדש טוב ושבת שלום