Chapter III

Hevel, symbolic of goodness, represents the level of tzaddik, as the verse states:1 "Say of a tzaddik that he is good."

Hevel maintained that the most important thing is the Hereafter, this world being but a place where we prepare ourselves for the World to Come. Hevel viewed G-d's creation in a proper intellectual manner, and realized that G-d created the world with a purpose. The ultimate goal is the realization of G-d's will:2 "G-d passionately desired a dwelling place in the nethermost world." Concerning this statement, the Alter Rebbe3 comments that no conclusive reason can be found for this desire, for all suggestions that have been put forward are deficient. Rather, it is as stated: "G-d 'passionately' desired," and a passionate desire needs no intellectual justification, inasmuch as it transcends logic.

Since a dwelling place is His desire, it follows that this desire is in and of itself the ultimate goal. Behind this goal there lies a purpose; that man transform the physical into the spiritual.4 How one goes about accomplishing this is to be understood from the statement of the [Alter] Rebbe5 that: "Jewish materiality is spirituality."

"Jewish materiality" alludes to the utilization of physical matter in accordance with the Torah. This includes all physical matters, from the physicality of business and the working place to eating, drinking and other bodily necessities. When these physical acts are done in accordance with the Torah, the person thereby fulfills the Divine purpose and transforms the physical into the spiritual.

Thus it is man who is charged with fulfilling the Divine purpose. The more of the physical which is transformed, the greater will be the fulfillment of the Divine purpose. Through his service the individual too proceeds towards perfection.

This is also the reason why Hevel chose to be a shepherd,6 for it enabled him to lead a tranquil life and devote himself to contemplating G-d's greatness.

The verse states:7 "How manifold are Your creations, G-d"; the very multitude of beings points to a Creator, for the ability to create rests only with Him. Such contemplation leads a person to develop truly good character traits.

In summary: Hevel is symbolic of the tzaddik, who views creation in its proper perspective. He realizes that creation's ultimate purpose is accomplished by transforming the physical into the spiritual through the study of Torah, the performance of mitzvos, and the development of refined character traits. Hevel therefore became a shepherd so that he could contemplate the greatness of G-d without distraction.