Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi David Cohen
When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)
In its commentary to this pasuk, the Midrash cites the pasuk in Tehillim 139:5 ×חור ×•×§×“× ×¦×¨×ª× ×™: , “Back and front You have fashioned me.” Reish Lakish asserts that “back and forth” refers to the last and first day of Creation. If a person has led a virtuous life, “You preceded the entire work of Creation.” If his life has been far from exemplary, he is told, “Even a gnat preceded you.”
Chazal are delving into the relationship between the soul and the body. From the perspective of the spirit, man came first. He preceded all of Creation, because he was the purpose of Creation. This is only true if the soul and the spirit govern his lifestyle. If, however, he has led a purely physical, materialistic lifestyle, in which he has immersed himself in gratifying his base desires so that he has disregarded the higher calling of the spirit, then he is told, “The lowliest worm preceded you.” The animal world is equipped for the mundane life that it is relegated to live. Animals are healthier and have a greater capacity for physical survival than humans do. Their lives are simple, and they are not burdened by the anxieties to which humans are predisposed.
The Netziv, zl, elaborates upon the notion that there are four types of creations: domeim, inanimate objects; tzomeich, growing vegetation; chai, living creations; medaber, speaking creations, i.e. humans. He explains that when any of these creations falls from its designated perch, it does not simply descend to the next level; rather it falls to the bottom! Therefore, the higher its position, the deeper it falls. For instance, when a living plant is yanked out of the ground, it does not simply become a domeim, inanimate object – it dies and becomes nothing! An animal that dies becomes a foul-smelling carcass – not a living plant. A person who dies descends even further than an animal. At least an animal can be used as food.
May we all be zocheh to realize our potential as the purpose of Creation.
Shabbat Shalom