B”H
Shalom and Bracha!
This Shabbat we bless the month of Cheshvan and read the portion
of Breishit, the narrative of creation. Being that this is the
first regular Shabbat of the year, the manner in which we
conduct ourselves this Shabbat sets the tone for the entire
year.
After creating Adam and placing him in the Garden of Eden,
Hashem brought him all of the animals to give them names. The
Midrash relates that when Hashem created Adam, the angels asked
Him “what is his nature?” Hashem responded that Adam’s wisdom
surpasses theirs. Hashem then showed them all of the animals and
they didn’t know their names. When He brought them to Adam, Adam
named them. He called himself Adam, because he was created from
the earth (Adamah means earth in Hebrew).
What was the great wisdom in giving names? The Baal Shem Tov
explains that a Hebrew name relates to the divine force that
connects the soul and the body. This is true not only of humans,
but of all creatures and objects. Creation was through Hashem’s
speech: G-d said “Let there be light” and there was light. The
letters of the Hebrew alphabet are the building blocks of
creation. The letters Aleph, Vav and Reish that form the Hebrew
word Ohr (light) were the tools of creating light. Adam had the
wisdom to see in each creature its connection to the Divine
energy that enlivens it.
What was the purpose of Adam naming them? Surely it was more
than just to demonstrate his wisdom to the angels. Hashem
created the world in a manner that His presence is concealed.
The purpose of Adam’s creation and of mankind as a whole was to
reveal the divine light in every aspect of the creation. This
began through Adam calling names to all of the creatures. By
calling them with their Hebrew names, he began the process of
revealing their divine source. The continuation of the process
is when the creation is used for a divine purpose, a Mitzvah.
Every time we use an object for a Mitzvah, the divine nature of
the object is revealed. The completion will be when Moshiach
will come and the physical world will be illuminated with
Hashem’s presence.
From this we also see the great significance of using our Hebrew
names. The very use of our Hebrew name facilitates the
revelation of our soul. One of the merits that brought about the
Exodus from Egypt was use of our Hebrew names. As we prepare for
the coming of Moshiach using our Hebrew names will hasten the
process.
The Midrash concludes that Hashem asked Adam His name and he
responded it is fit to call You A-do-nai (from the Hebrew Adon
which means master) because You are the master of all of Your
creations. May we soon witness the entire creation accepting
Hashem’s kingship with the coming of Moshiach.
Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov,
Rabbi Biggs
Dedicated to Mazal Bat Rachel for a full and speedy recovery
A project of Chabad of Great Neck
400 East Shore Rd. Great Neck NY 11024
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