IDOLATRY-2/
Meet EeLoHiM
Let’s ask:
WHO CREATED THE WORLD?
AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
Most people would answer the first question saying:
“Of course, G-d created the Heavens and the earth, who else?”
But they would not be able to answer the second question,
seeing no purpose for the world in the written text!
Yet, the Hebrew text of the first verse in the Bible says:
“At the beginning, EeLoHiM created the Heavens and the Ear
Where the term EeLoHiM stands for a Mighty JUDGE,
even a human judge, as in the verse:
“EeLoHiM in your midst you shall not curse,
Nor should you curse a prince in your nation,” (Exodus 22: 27)
Hence, the first verse in the Bible says that
“In the Beginning, the JUDGE ELKM created the world” – to withstand JUDGMENT!
Because, by definition, the JUDGE creates things to stand in a Trial and JUDGMENT.
“What about LOVE?” I hear you asking.
The answer is that it was only at the Beginning,
that the world was created for a JUDGMENT.
Later in the story of Genesis, another Attribute would join
and shower Her Love on us.
ELKM IS AN ATTRIBUTE
Note again that the Essence of the Infinite CREATOR is beyond our conception.
He, or She, has no Name, and no Name or description can contain him,
not even the name CREATOR. His “Essence can’t be described by any word.
The Torah, however, wishes us to know, that at CREATION,
the Infinite CREATOR set on the Throne of JUDGMENT, as a JUDGE
to build the World for a Trial, and to stand a JUDGMENT.
Hence the Name EeLoHiM (ELKM).
On other occasions, such as before creating Edam,
the CREATOR would reveal another of His many Attributes,
such as the Attribute of MERCY, called YHVH,
or the Attribute of Nourishment, growth and limitation called ShaDai.
Hence, on other occasions the CREATOR would sit on other Thrones,
or wear other “hats” and receive new Names, as needed.
So, if the World was created by ELKM the All-Mighty JUDGE for a JUDGMENT
we may ask: Does the world has a mind? How can it stand a judgment?
The answer is, according to tradition, that each item in the Universe
is born to sand a trial, whose terms are known only to the CREATOR, ELKM.
We may say, though, that the world and its creatures must obey
the Laws of Nature, set up by its CREATOR, ELKM.
We, humans, are also subjects to the same Judgment,
set up by the Laws of Nature. Yet, as creatures blessed
with a mind and Free Will, our judgment entails also
moral principles also set up by ELKM.
MAN IS NEVER ALONE
An important implication of ELKM as our JUDGE, is the notion
that we are always observed by ELKM and His angels.
Hence, we are never alone. Our thoughts, our deeds, are constantly
watched and written in a “book of life,” to be read at our JUDGMENT.
THE ROSH HASHANNAH HOLIDAY
According to our sages, ELKM judges us every day and every minute.
Yet once a year, at the Annual Anniversary of CREATION,
the so-called Rosh Hashanah Holiday, the Hebrew New Year Holiday,
ELKM ascends again on His Throne of JUDGMENT as He did at CREATION,
and all creatures, large or small, passes by His Throne
as He judges each one and decides its fate for the next Year.
HERE ARE SOME QUOTATIONS FROM OUR PRAYER BOOKS
FOR ROSH HASHANAH
“Today is the birthday of the world,
Today you ascend again on your Throne of Judgment
when all the creatures of the world pass before your Throne
as You examine each and every one of them
and dictates their fate for the next year…”
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF ELKM’S JUDGMENT?
We can induct ELHM’s ways from the story of CREATION in Chapter One,
as well as from watching nature directly.