As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And G-d saw all that He had made and behold it was very good.” (1:31)

This is written to teach Man that he should emulate his Creator and he too should always view all of Creation and he too should always perceive its goodness and should always declare that everything in Creation is “very good.” This world is full of joys, and men are required to be aware of these joys and to thank the Creator for them.

In accordance with the great principle that the Creation is intended to teach Man about the Creator, this verse is actually saying “And behold the Creator is very good.” “Good” includes “wise” and “kindly.” And “very” means “endlessly wise” and “endlessly kindly.” Abraham utilized this principle to spend his entire life in the study of the endless wisdom and endless kindliness of the Creator.

“He who gives a gift to his fellowman must let him know” (Shabbat 10B). The purpose is 1) to cause him to love the giver, 2) and to cause him to enjoy the gift (by informing him of the value and usefulness of the gift). Therefore: 1) the Creator informs us that He is the giver of the Creation to us, so that we love Him more because of His benevolence. 2) And also He informs us that this gift is very good, in order that we enjoy it more. Thus we are expected to study the endless benefits of Creation, and as a result we shall love the Giver more and more as our understanding of His gift increases.

But, as a result of this information, when men apply their minds to this subject and spend their lives in the study of this goodness of Hashem (as Abraham did), then the world becomes for them “very good.” Not only will they live happily and will sing to the Creator all their days, but they will be rewarded for this that they will sing in the World to Come forever. This is the true and ultimate meaning of “Behold, it was very good.” This very good world is merely a vestibule or a lobby before the Very Great Good which awaits those that prepare themselves in the vestibule to enter the great Banquet Hall (Olam Haba).

Quoted from “The Beginning” By Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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