Shabbat Prayers: VaYechulu: Rabbi Samson R Hirsch: Purpose

The 9th of Iyar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yitzchak Bernays (Barneis) (1792-1849), teacher of Rav Shamshon Rafael Hirsch. “And heaven and earth and all their host were completed.” This statement concerning heaven and earth embodies within itself all of the Jewish concept of God in the world.

Heaven and earth were brought into being without there will by the might of a Higher Power, Who is above them and to Whose command they are still subject to this very day.

And their present form was envisioned as an “end,” or “goal” long before they even came to exist.

Thus, they represent a plan mapped out by that Higher Power Who created them.

Hence, we can see that even long before heaven and earth first came to be, there existed a thinking, Almighty Will, sure of Its purposes and capable of attaining them, a Will to which heaven and earth are subject to this very day.