Creation Exists Not for Itself

Rabbi Moshe Ben-Chaim

Avi:  The medrash says, “Each of the 6 days of Creation had a partner, except Shabbos. Therefore God made the Jewish people as Shabbos’ partner.” What does this mean?

Rabbi: What is meant by “partner?” When we say “day,” are we talking about the 24-hour period, or perhaps we are talking about that day’s creations? For example, on Day 3 when God created all the grasses, this would be futile if there were no animals created on Day 6 that would eat the grass. Or on Day 4 when God created the sun, this would be futile unless there was an Earth created on Day 1 that would benefit from the sun's light. Therefore, each day “having a partner” means that a day’s creation doesn't function for itself, but it functions in the context of some other days’ creations. Thus, one day is a partner to another. However Shabbos is a day where nothing was created so we can't say this idea. 

What was the essence of Shabbos? It was the “absence” of creation, a day of rest. Now why did God determine inactivity as so significant, demanding its own day? This is because the goal of creation—however counterintuitive it is—is not for creation! The goal of creation is for an intelligent being to appreciate God's wisdom embedded in all creation; creation was made for observers. Therefore the partner of Shabbos is the Jewish nation, which through their rest from all activity, can observe and study creation and Torah, and revel in God’s brilliance.