The Shema Blessing of "Yotzer Ohr": Discussions on Prayer, Lesson 28
| Related Text: | Siddur: Yotzeir Or, Siddur: Hameir Laaretz | |
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More in this section
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29:35He Created All with Wisdom
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28:41The Heavenly Bodies
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30:01The Significance of Angels
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Ok, so please explain how Shabbat works in this concept of continuously creating. How could he "rest" from creating? Or do I have a misunderstanding of His "resting"? Reply
Increasing my comfort level For many years I felt uncomfortable in shul because I was unable to keep up with the pace of the davening; it seemed I could never read fast enough to stay with the chazzan. Since I've been attending your on-line discussions I've learned to enjoy lingering over the words, contemplating their deeper meaning. I'm no longer self-conscious about taking so long to complete my prayers, and with increased familiarity I'm sure fluency will follow in time. Thank you, and I sincerely hope you have plans to post many more of these discussions. Reply
Thank you so very much. Your discussion is a gift!
I look forward to further study with you.
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Your question is on the mark and deserves an immediate response.
The Torah tells us that the world was created by Divine speech as is indicated by the first word of each of the statements of creation "vayomer" and He said. The reason for this is that speech is the faculty where the matter exits the person and travels to be revealed to the recipient. G-d created the world (at least as it appears to us) to be outside (independent) of Him and therefore it is describes as the faculty of speech. However, that is not where the process begins. Speech must first be formulated in thought before it is expressed in speech. The difference is that thought remains within (unified) the person. On Shabbat G-d ceased creating though Divine speech and the world continues to be sustained by Divine thought and this is why the day of Shabbat is holy. Because it is in a closer bond with the Divine (thought) that is why we are prohibited for doing and constructive work on this day and it is consecrated.