Home

And God said, "let us make Man in Our image and in Our likeness" (Genesis 1:26).

The Medrash Rabba (30 CE-200 CE; Bereishis Rabba 8:8; also explained by Rashi) states as God dictated the Torah to Moses, Moses became perplexed by this verse: Why give non-believers the opportunity to claim there is more than one God?

God answered, "Whoever wants to be mistaken, let him be mistaken." As the Mahrzu (Ze'ev Volf Einhorn of Vilna; 19th century) explains, the Torah already testifies to God's infinite oneness. We don't worry about those who are intellectually dishonest and search for means to prove their falsehoods. Furthermore, the Torah's very next verse says, "And God created Man in His image" (Genesis 1:27). God alone created Man.

As the Medrash explains, the Torah says "our" because God asked his Angels how to create man. By doing so, God teaches us the importance of consulting with others, even those on a lower level of understanding. (Based on Yefe Toar's commentary on the Medrash; 17th century.)

Did God need the angels' counsel? Of course not. Will some people misinterpret His actions to claim there is more than one God? Absolutely. Why did He do this? To teach us the importance of seeking counsel from others.

The Torah was not written to refute other religions, philosophies, or beliefs. Nor did God hide his teachings from those who would distort his words. The Torah was written for us -- we who want to learn the truth -- and God included everything we'd need to know through the generations. As for those who do not seek the truth, who have other motives, "whoever wants to be mistaken, let him be mistaken."

Rabbi Chaim Lobel is spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen.
www.yiaberdeen.com