Questions tagged [creation]
Questions about the creation of the world.
241
questions
0
votes
0
answers
117
views
What do our sources say about the principle of plenitude?
In the book Nature's Destiny, Michael Denton discusses the principle of plenitude, where he claims that all possible viable life forms on a planet like earth appear to have been actualized (as a sort ...
- 20.7k
1
vote
1
answer
114
views
What's a roadmap to origins positions among Jewish groups today?
Where are the lines drawn and where are the camps considered regarding origins questions? Are origins questions considered important matters, or is there something like a concern that too much arguing ...
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
35
views
Give and take a battle?
http://www.aish.com/jl/p/wayofg-d/17-Created-for-Pleasure.html?mobile=yes
According to my own understanding the Ramchal thought that because HaShem is completely, perfectly, totally, absolutly, ...
- 7,248
1
vote
0
answers
62
views
Why was only the light hidden at creation?
In Bereshis 1:3-4 God creates light and differentiates between light and dark. Chazal in Hagigah 12a each us that God saw the original light was not appropriate for the wicked to use and hid it away ...
- 12.9k
1
vote
0
answers
30
views
Hashem created this world l'heitiv labriyos [duplicate]
so Hashem only does good, only wants to do good,...
so why arent we born in gan eiden?
answer: we shudnt feel stupid with getting things for granted...
people dont feel good that way, people like to ...
- 31
4
votes
4
answers
499
views
Creating things with the Sefer Yetzira?
According to the Talmud (sanhedrin 65b), the Rabbis of the Talmud used the system of the sefer yetzira to miraculously create a calf every friday and eat it on the Sabbath.
Rabbi Avraham Azoulai ...
- 20.7k
4
votes
2
answers
132
views
Why does אבות cite Gen. 9, not Gen. 1, for נברא בצלם?
Avos, chapter 3, reads in part:
הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר חָבִיב אָדָם שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְצֶלֶם חִבָּה יְתֵרָה נוֹדַעַת לוֹ שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְצֶלֶם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר כִּי בְּצֶלֶם א׳ עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם
Sefaria's ...
- 73.5k
0
votes
0
answers
51
views
Is believing in G-d guided evolution a valid belief in Orthodox Judaism? [duplicate]
Like the title dictates. Does the theory of evolution hold legitamacy in light of Maaseh Bereishis? That being said, are there ramifications of having that understanding towards one's Avodas HaShem? ...
- 4,235
7
votes
1
answer
185
views
What happened to the "D'mut"?
In Bereishit 1:26, Hashem says (all text and translation from the Chabad site's Judaica Press version)
And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,
וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים נַעֲשֶׂה ...
- 37.2k
3
votes
3
answers
176
views
Is everything in the universe a metahaphors for a spiritual world?
Why did Hashem create things to work like they do?
Is Hashem describing a spiritual world, or the spiritual world, with his creation on earth? He could have created it in so many ways; why this way?
...
- 1,468
1
vote
1
answer
103
views
Words can create
I have heard that for many years. Words can create.Some say if you read Tehillim you are creating.
Could someone help me with this question.
Im trying to ask. Does everything we say create something?...
- 1,468
4
votes
1
answer
285
views
Noahide studying creation
Can Noahide study matters related to creation like first day of creation, commentaries of Ramban, Rashi and others? If so what are limits to such study and how much can one speculate about it?
- 41
1
vote
1
answer
99
views
Genesis Rabbah (ch. 1 "On Creation") available online?
Do any of you know if Genesis Rabbah's first chapter ("On Creation") is available online? Would you mind directing me to the source?
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Proverbs 8:22-31. Woman Wisdom personified or actual being?
In Proverbs 8:22-31, a figure known as "Woman Wisdom" is described as being present when G-d was creating the world. Obviously, "Woman Wisdom" serves as a great personification to teach about the ...
3
votes
2
answers
540
views
Did God create all animals in pairs?
I can't find any proof about how many animals of every kind were created in the creation of the world. Is that information mentioned anywhere? Before this question, I mistakenly thought that the ...
- 131
4
votes
2
answers
361
views
Who was the Ramchal fighting?
The Ramchal wrote the Mesillas Yesharim in 2 formats. The first version was written as a conversation (seder vikuach) between a chacham and a chasid [the second version is what everyone is now ...
- 9,449
1
vote
0
answers
89
views
Does anyone explicitly say one may not believe in any type of evolution?
As seen in the answers to this Mi Yodea question, some Rabbis were fine with accepting at least some version of the theory of evolution. [A belief in God's involvement in the process seems to be a ...
- 32.8k
5
votes
3
answers
212
views
If God took away light but didn't create darkness what would it be like?
Did god create darkness or just light?
If he did create darkness, what is it?
Is it a certain substance ?
If god did create darkness then what would be if god took away light but didn't create ...
- 1,100
0
votes
3
answers
194
views
Why did God create a finite world only once?
As I know, our world is finite in both in space and time.
But God is infinite. Is there any known reason why He created a single, finite world only once in the Eternity?
- 547
3
votes
0
answers
76
views
Talmud source that the righteous can create worlds with their words
Looking for a source in the talmud which says that the righteous can create worlds with their words - I saw this and I can't remember in which tractate/where exactly, google isn't helping.
- 131
-2
votes
1
answer
152
views
About Va yehi in bereshit
We learn from Chazal that whenever the Torah uses the word 'vayehi', it means something significant and awful is about to happen.
We find in Bereshit that when Hashem created the world and all ...
- 409
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Source of this drasha?
I want to give over a drasha I heard, but I cannot recall who said it originally. The drasha goes:
The Midrash says that one of the reasons there is no "ki tov" on
the second day of Creation is ...
- 5,346
0
votes
2
answers
216
views
Hint for Big Bang in Genesis
Has anyone found a hint for the Big Bang event postulated by modern cosmology, i.e. that the Universe expanded from a "point," in the Genesis account?
Some kind of torah code or other sort of hint. I ...
- 20.7k
0
votes
1
answer
248
views
How was the world created through the even shesiya?
In Yoma 54, it says the world was created with the Even Shesiya (primordial rock).
Is this to be taken literally and if yes, do we have details into this process?
- 20.7k
7
votes
2
answers
424
views
When Did Hashem Create Angels
I always wondered when Hashem created angels because nowhere does it say in the Torah when Hashem created angels, only when Hashem created the world.
user12215
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What Was The Source Of The Primordial Light On The First Day Of Creation
It says on the first day of creation in Genesis that there was light. On the fourth day of creation, the sun was created. So what was the source of the primordial light on the first day of creation?
- 201
4
votes
1
answer
279
views
Is Lilith mythos considered Oral Torah? [duplicate]
I was wondering what the rabbinical context for Lilith currently is. As far as what I understand of the oral tradition Lilith was Adam's first wife, equal in that she was also made of clay, but she ...
- 41
8
votes
5
answers
12k
views
What is the firmament?
In Genesis 1:6-8 the firmament and its creation are mentioned for the first time:
And God said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.' ...
- 4,556
2
votes
0
answers
79
views
The blessing of Pru U'rvu
"The reason why a mule cannot reproduce is because is wasn't blessed by the blessing of Pru U'rvu during the Six Days of Creation. "
Someone showed this to me while I was learning in Israel. I ...
- 31
0
votes
2
answers
59
views
Six month daytime duration
In the Beresheit account of Creation, a day begins at sundown and ends the next day at sundown. But we know closer to each of the Earth's poles, an actual day can last up to six months. The sun rises ...
- 281
0
votes
5
answers
573
views
Was the universe created by soundwaves?
Was the universe created by soundwaves?
Hashem said in Genesis: Let there be light.
- 1,468
4
votes
2
answers
146
views
Can someone explain the idea that God "created the world with the Torah"?
Can anyone explain the idea that God "created the world with the Torah," an idea that apparently has a long heritage, such that it does not appear to be the crazy bizarre notion that it seems to me ...
- 189
5
votes
3
answers
357
views
Did the Rabbi just back us into a corner?
In the following quote, the Khazar king questions the Rabbi's belief in a (relatively) young world starting with Adam. The Rabbi concedes that the question posed 'would weaken my belief', but argues ...
- 32.8k
7
votes
0
answers
421
views
Which Rishonim viewed maaseh bereishit as an allegory?
I have often heard that many rishonim were comfortable with the idea that at least the first week of creation could be read allegorically, not literally. What are the specific sources that support ...
- 8,736
4
votes
0
answers
106
views
Is the Sabbath a Creation Ordinance?
"And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made." Genesis 2:2
Some understand that this verse teaches that ...
- 51
4
votes
5
answers
739
views
Was man created before or after the animals?
According to Genesis chapter 1, it seems that the animals were created first. According to Genesis chapter 2, it seems that man was created first.
What are the different understandings that have been ...
2
votes
1
answer
190
views
Adam's physical maturity when created
According to Jewish tradition, what was Adam's level of physical maturity (apparent age) when he was created? Was he a baby or an adult?
- 123
3
votes
1
answer
153
views
On the design of the current universe -- why did G-d let there be suffering in the world
PREAMBLE: I'm processing (thinking about) all the comments and will try to update the question shortly. Thanks.
A few weeks ago I was having a debate with born-again Christians (they were trying to ...
- 153
2
votes
1
answer
180
views
How might one reconcile a non-literal reading of the timespan of creation with literal 7th day Shabbat observance? [duplicate]
I am wondering, in the light of discussions regarding the possibility for non-literal readings of Bereishit, how we are to then understand a quite literal observation of Shabbat on the 7th day.
To ...
- 97
3
votes
2
answers
230
views
Why was it so important for Hashem to create the 'mouth' of the ass
We read in Balak that the ass 'spoke' to Bilaam. This was a special miracle that an ass could speak, made during the six days of creation.
Hashem doesn't make miracles for nothing. What is the great ...
- 103
1
vote
1
answer
114
views
goodness and pleasure the purpose of creation
The Ramchal teaches that goodness is the reason that G-d created the world, to give of His goodness to another (human).
But he also wrote:
Man was created for the sole purpose of rejoicing in G-d ...
- 7,248
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
How the idea of "the bread of shame" aligns with free will
Jewish thinkers(Who?) sum up G-d's creation of the world as follows: It was the ultimate act of goodness. G-d is perfect and infinite. He has no need for a universe; He has nothing to gain from ...
- 7,248
4
votes
4
answers
205
views
What does HaShem benefit from making the human being?
HaShem made the human being with free will (to choose), but what does it mean to HaShem, or what does He gain/benefits from making the human being and why make this human being with the ability to ...
- 140
3
votes
2
answers
214
views
hints from verses that 6 days of creation is not literal
Are there hints in the verses of Genesis that the 6 "days" of creation are not literal, i.e. not 24 hour periods but rather some kind of "era".
- 20.7k
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How were fish formed? Did Adam name them?
Animals (including birds) are formed from the dust of the ground in Bereshit 2:19, and Adam gave them names according to verse 20.
But what about the fish (animals of the sea)? Are they also formed ...
- 1,019
8
votes
1
answer
133
views
וְהִתְקִין לוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ בִּנְיַן עֲדֵי עַד Is the translation of מִמֶּנּוּ **His** very self or his very self?
The Koren Sacks siddur translates the 4th of the 7 wedding blessings as:
אֲשֶׁר יָצַר אֶת הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ, בְּצֶלֶם דְּמוּת תַּבְנִיתוֹ,
וְהִתְקִין לוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ בִּנְיַן עֲדֵי עַד:
who ...
- 46.5k
1
vote
0
answers
703
views
The Yud and Hey in creation (Isaiah 26:4)
Isaiah (26:4) is usually translated: "Trust in G-d forever, for in Y-ah, [who is] G-d, is the everlasting rock." However, the prefix translated here as "in" can also mean "through" or "by"; and the ...
- 1,019
0
votes
0
answers
265
views
Was the world created for the sake of Bikkurim or Torah?
I was reading Let There Be Rain and on page 8 it says the following:
"The world was created for the sake of the mitzvah of bikkurim,..." (Shemos 34:26)
Yet the Tikkunei Zohar [78b] and Bereishis ...
- 6,777
4
votes
3
answers
342
views
Can someone help me understand Genesis Rabbah 4?
The beginning of Genesis Rabbah 4 talks mainly about the firmament in creation account. It goes as follows (from the Artscroll Mesorah publication):
(4:2): "At the moment the Holy One, Blessed is He,...
- 381
-2
votes
1
answer
84
views
Shabbos sustaining the world
I heard from someone that “G-d created the world to last for six days plus the Shabbos. Then the Shabbos gives the world the spiritual energy to exist for another week and the cycle goes on ...
- 6,777