Machshavot HaLev - Yeshivat Lev HaTorah

20
בלה תובשחמ
as initial completion. However, the ultimate completion would only be attained
when someone moves into the house and utilizes it.
Much in the same vein, man has two stages to his creation: there is the initial
completion and ultimate completion. Initial completion happens when one
is brought into the world. Ultimate completion happens when we are able to
employ the traits and talents embedded in us to reach the zenith of living a Torah
life - man becoming a bearer of Godliness. One cannot properly be called “man”
until he reaches his ultimate completion. It is for this reason that God “could not”
pronounce, “I shall make man.” The creation of man is not done by God alone.
Rather, it is done in partnership with us. When we make correct moral, ethical,
and Torah oriented decisions in our lives we are in essence creating ourselves.
On a daily basis we are given opportunities to become human. “Should I wake
up for prayer this morning or sleep late? Should I learn some Torah? Should I
make a blessing on my food or just inhale the food like Esau?” Should I cheat
on my test, plagiarize an essay? The decisions we make at those junctures are
what distinguish us from animals and earn us the title man. Therefore, God said,
“Let us make man.” God is saying to each of us, “Let’s you and I together create
man.” Based on the decisions we make and the paths we carve out for ourselves
we choose whether or not we are interested in partnering with God and being a
creator of man.