Page 24 - choverestishrei5782

22 | Harav Michoel Fishman Harav Michoel Fishman | 23

This question can be answered by reference to a point of Talmudic law which "As the Waters Cover the Ocean Bed"
relates to ritual purity. The laws of purity apply only to objects in a state of
completion. For example, a shapeless piece of metal cannot become impure/ The ultimate state of unity between Hashem and the world will be expressed in
Tomai until it is fashioned into a useful object. Though the metal obviously Yemos Hamoshiach, when “the world will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem
exists, the laws of ritual purity do not yet relate to it; the object cannot be said as the waters cover the ocean bed.” 15
to have come into being until it has been completed. 13 This will be accomplished through man›s efforts. The revelation of G-dliness

Certain objects may be thought of as complete at any one of a number of stages. in the Era of the Moshiach depends on our present endeavors to perceive and
16
Animal hides, for example, can be used at one stage as covers or blankets, or express the G-dliness invested within the world. By developing a conscious
they can be further treated and refined and made into clothing. bond with Hashem and extending that relationship into every element of our
existence, we bring closer the time when that connection will blossom forth
Imagine that a substance which imparts impurity comes into contact with a into complete fulfillment of the Geulah. May this be realized in the immediate
hide in a less developed state. Is the hide ritually impure (because it can be future.
used as a cover at this stage), or pure (because it can be further processed into
a garment)?
The Mishnah rules that the status of the hide is dependent upon its owner. If
14
the owner would be expected to be content with the hide as a cover, the hide is
impure. However, if the owner is a tanner who would ordinarily consider the
hide to be unfinished at this stage and would be expected to further refine it
in order to make a garment, it is pure.

With this halachah we can conceptualize the status of creation before the
creation of man. The 25th of Elul and the following days of creation revealed
Hashem’s awesome powers. These powers were, however, totally eclipsed by
the creation of man, which revealed a deeper purpose of creation and a

higher aspect of G-dliness, just as the animal hide can be transformed into a
garment by a skilled tanner.
The revelation occasioned by man’s creation caused the world›s prior existence
to be considered unfinished. Through the creation of man, Hashem established
a new definition of existence, and according to this new definition, the world
did not previously exist. The anniversary of man’s creation can therefore be
considered the anniversary of creation as a whole.
15 Yeshayahu 11:9, quoted by the Rambam at the conclusion of his discussion of the Era of the
13 See Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Kelim 5:1. Moshiach in the Mishneh Torah.
14 Kelim 26:7-8. 16 Tanya, ch. 37.

Agudah Achasgudah Achas
A Agudah Achas