ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף משלי 8:22

The Talmud Nedarim 39, reports that seven things were created prior to the universe itself. They are: Torah, Teshuvah, the gan Eden, Gehinnom, G'ds throne, the holy Temple and the name of the Messiah. Scriptural proof is provided. Concerning the Torah it is written "The Lord made me at the beginning of His ways." (Proverbs 8,22) Concerning Teshuvah, it is written "before mountains were born and the earth suffered birthpangs, You turn man to contrition and say "return, ye children of man!" (Psalms 90,3) Of the garden of Eden (Genesis 2,8) it is said: "and the Lord planted a garden in Eden heretofore." Concerning Gehinnom it is written (Isaiah 30,33) "For Tophet in the valley of Hinnom has been prepared of old. He made it very deep; the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord kindles it like a stream of brimstone." Of the throne of G'd it is said: (Psalms 93,2) "Your throne is firmly established from time immemorial." Of the holy Temple it is written in Jeremiah 17,22: "on high from the beginning, the place of Your sanctuary." Of the name of the Messiah it states (Psalms 72,17) "His name continues since prior to the sun."

When G-d said to Moses (25, 9) "in accordance with all I have shown you," Moses had some difficulty in comprehending. G-d therefore said to him that the tabernacle should reflect the structural peculiarities of the universe itself. This means that the sanctuary on earth is to be a microcosm of the universe at large. Expressed differently, we are to do on earth that which corresponds to what He did when He revealed Himself to the prophets, draped in "garments" such as perceived in the visions of Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jacob and others. It is this that the Psalmist refers to when he says (Psalm 93 or 104) "G-d has begun His reign, He has robed Himself in Majesty." When the time had arrived for G-d to reveal part of His glory to His entire people, He commanded the tabernacle to be constructed as the means to reveal that part of Himself. The answer given to Moses can be understood thus. In theory, any thinking Jew can build a tabernacle, even though he may lack the proper materials to carry out the actual construction. This then is the allegorical meaning of "from any person who is of generous disposition" (25,2) Isaiah 66, 1, discussing "the house" G-d allows to be built for Him, suggests that the person deserving of the presence of the shechinah should possess three character traits. They are "ani, - necheh ru-ach, -chared el de-varee, “he should be of contrite heart, humbling himself before Me, he should be of a spirit that reveres Me and he should tremble at My word."

When we now pursue the question of what is G-d’s goal in having man serve Him, seeing that we have established that man's efforts do not contribute to the state of G-d’s perfection, then the answer is that it is the will of G-d, not because of His need for man. Rather it is because of His generosity and kindness in affording man the opportunity to reach a level of wisdom and piety that enables him to appreciate G-d and His glory. Our sages in Avot 6,9 tell us that G-d possesses five acquisitions in this universe. They are: heaven and earth, Torah, Abraham, Israel and the holy temple. Since we have proof from scriptures that G-d owns the entire universe, i.e. "the earth is filled with Your property” (Psalms 104,24), what can be the meaning of that Mishnah? The answer cannot lie in the specific references to the word kinyan, possession, in the Mishnah. It is significant that the verses from Scripture quoted there to support the statement of the Mishnah, do not mention the term kinyan in connection with "heaven and earth." Even in the case of Israel, although one of the verses quoted mentions the term kinyan, the second verse quoted in support of the same statement does not mention kinyan. The meaning of our sages must be that G-d acquired these five possessions to serve as the instruments by means of which He can bestow His kindness and generosity on man, to let him rise to the lofty position of comprehending His greatness. G-d, as it were, "needed" these five possessions to carry out His plan for the ultimate elevation of mankind. When Solomon describes the Torah as having been "acquired by G-d" (Proverbs 8,22), this means that G-d has planned to use the Torah as a tool to implement His grand design. When Isaiah describes the function of heaven and earth as "the footstools and throne of G-d" respectively, he similarly underlines that they are merely tools in the hands of G-d. Just as acquisitions serve as a means to and end, so these five acquisitions serve as a means to the end which G-d pursued when He created man. Abraham being described as "blessed" to the supreme G-d by Malki Tzedek the king of Salem underlines the fact that, being a priest, his function was to teach the people about G-d (Maleachi 2,7; Genesis 14,18-20). We explained that in connection with the pearl that hung around Abraham's throat in chapter 4. Israel, instructed already by its forefathers who spread knowledge of G-d, is to do so in even greater measure. It will act as such tool, as will the holy temple representing the benevolent Presence of the Shechinah on this earth. Nothing could serve more directly as a tool to acquaint people with the power, generosity and splendor of G-d. Contrary to man, who is considered foolish when he fails to employ all his faculties for his own advantage, G-d is concerned with employing these five tools (faculties) to promote the advancement of His creatures rather than Himself.