Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/57

 39

The Story of Creation

Only through man's misuse of God's or defiance of God's will and disregard of His purpose

of things gifts in

life

only good.

is

wise rabbis of old expresses created

The following

does evil come.

this

the

in

told

by the

this story of creation,

commenting upon most forcibly.

principle

trees

parahle,

they

rejoiced

to

be

When God alive,

for

first

existence

But when, the next day, He created the iron iron, the trees all trembled with fear and said, "This But (lod reassured them, "No, not will chop us down". until you trees yourselves furnish the handle to the axe, will So it is in the life of the iron have power to harm you". and all His gifts are alone, good comes God from all men; seemed so good.

some purpose of good but when men misuse these gifts, or fail to apply them to their appointed purpose, evil results. That is the only real evil in the world. Thus Judaism has for



ever believed, and has proclaimed the truth, voiced throughout this story of creation, that fife itself and the universe

and everything connected therewith are good, that God has created all in wisdom, goodness and love, and has placed man at the head, has fashioned him in His own image, and

endowed him with

all

high qualities, in order that he

rule this universe wisely,

which

He

has ordained.

in

the

Again

way and

in the

may

for the purpose

words of the Psalmist,

Thou hast made him but little hnver than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou hast made him to have dominion over the works Thou hast put all things under his feet.

of

Thy hands;

Understanding this Jewish conception of the nature of and of the position of man, and of the exalted

the universe,

purpose of

his existence, the divine

command

to observe the

Sabbath acquires new significance. Life has its purpose of It can be attained realize itself nor come of its own accord. only by man's earnest and conscientious labor.
 * good appointed by God. But this purpose of good does not

God

has or-