In the song Lecha Dodi the author states סוף מעשה במחשבה תחלה - last in deed, [was] first in thought
I have seen this maxim attributed to Aristotle; is there a classic Jewish source for this in Tanacha, Chazal, Midrash etc?
asked Sep 6, 2016 at 1:43
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1jss.oxfordjournals.org/content/7/2/234.extract– rikitikitemboCommented Sep 6, 2016 at 2:27
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Why can't the phrase in Lecha Dodi be translated as "the completion of an action begins with its initial thought"? In other words the term "sof" means "end".– DanFCommented Sep 6, 2016 at 15:22
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1 Answer
First things that come up on a search are
The words "רִאשׁוֹן לַמַּחֲשָׁבָה, אַחֲרוֹן לְמַעֲשֶׂה.".
Zohar
The words. "תחילת המחשבה סוף המעשה"
Kuzari 3.73, Magid devorov liyakov said it is a maamar chazal (brings the midrash regarding shabbos)
The words "סוף מעשה תחילת המחשבה".
Also here
Ramban in the book believe and trust chapter 8
