Partners with God in Creation

Rabbi Moshe Ben-Chaim

“Any judge who gives a rightful decision–as truth demands it–even though he spends but one hour on it, Scripture accounts it to him as though he had occupied himself with the Torah the whole day long, and as though he became partner with the Holy One, blessed be He, in the work of the Creation of which it is stated, “It was evening and it was morning” (Rashi, Exod 18:13 ).

The rabbis also say when a Jew recites “Vayichulu” — “The heaven and the earth were finished, and all their array” (Gen . 2:1) he too becomes a partner with God in Creation. But as Creation was complete, how can we subsequently partner in a concluded act?

These 2 matters address 2 areas: justice and creation. We partner with God not in the “act” of Creation, but in its “purpose.” Creation is purposeless without man recognizing God as Creator, and also upholding His will through justice. Thus, by 1) judging truthfully, and  2) attesting to God as Creator when reciting Vayichulu, man gives creation purpose. 

Man cannot partner with God in physical creation; it concluded long ago. But man can partner with God by giving creation purpose: in both enforcing justice, and spreading the truth of God is the sole creator.