Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Pirkei Avot - Ethics of Our Fathers - Chapter 6, II

Pirkei Avot 6:11

כָּל מַה שֶּׁבָּרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בָּעוֹלָמוֹ, לֹא בְרָאוֹ אֶלָּא לִכְבוֹדוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, כֹּל הַנִּקְרָא בִשְׁמִי וְלִכְבוֹדִי בְּרָאתִיו יְצַרְתִּיו אַף עֲשִׂיתִיו, וְאוֹמֵר יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד

All that the Holy One, Blessed be He, created in this world, He created for His glory, as is said in Isaiah XLIII:7, "...every one that is called by My name; for I have created him for My glory. I have formed him; year, I have made him." And it is also said in Exodus XV:18, The Lord shall reign for ever and ever."

- The first line is saying that everything has been created for a purpose. We all have a role to play, a paint stroke in a master painting.

- The last mishna is a fitting end to Pirkei Avot. We've spent six weeks reading what great figures in Judaism have stressed in order to improve our attitudes, behavior and way of life. All these lessons are rather meaningless if they're not done for a reason. As we are on this planet for a reason (As the first bullet point states), if we don't ensure that our time here is used in order to enhance the greatness of our Creator, then what exactly is the point of our existence?

Another cycle is done ... It's been fun and challenging. Until next time ...
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