By Rabbi Moshe Pogrow
Not only the Makkos but also their cessation was a striking sign of Hashem’s omnipotence. Even the greatest revelation of His power would not be enough to convey to the nations the idea of the G-d of Israel. At most, it would present Him as the highest power, the most forceful of all forces. In the Jewish conception, Hashem's creations do not escape His control. It was through the ending of the plague at G-d’s command, its differentiation between Egypt and Goshen, that G-d revealed Himself. No other power can control elemental forces once they have been released.
This is why we celebrate the last day of Creation, Shabbos. The non-Jewish world celebrates the first day, Sunday. The universe as a result of natural forces can explain the Sunday of Creation, but it cannot explain the Sabbath. Why has the creation of new creatures ceased if the same creative forces of nature still exist? That is why G-d established the Sabbath, the Shabbos with which Creation ceased, and not the days of Creation, as a monument to the Creator.
The stopping of creation is a greater proof of a Creator than the existence of heaven and earth. Why have natural forces ceased to function? Why has the cause ceased producing the effect? This teaches us that the present Sabbath was preceded by purposeful creative activity, and that the universe is not the result of blind nature, but of a Creator endowed with supreme wisdom, free will, and unlimited power.
This all-powerful, limit-setting dai! attesting to the Creator is inscribed not only on creation as a whole, but in the details. Our Sages take us through the spheres of creation and show us the many different kinds within and between species. These, too reveal the Creator’s hand, setting measures and limits.
Look at the heavens: there is a planet that completes its orbit in 12 months, and there is a planet that completes it in 88 days, and another in 248 years. Look at the earth—how varied are the different species of plants, and yet how regular are their laws! Everything in heaven and on earth testifies to vayechulu, the ending of creation. A free almighty Will rules over us, restraining us within limits, making us what we are.
Vayechulu! Everything is limited in size and purpose, everything has received its allotted measure of material and energy, and has been assigned its time of development and its own kind. Were it not for the Creator, Who assigns purpose and measure through His Will and sovereign power; had only the blind forces of nature prevailed—the world would never have materialized.
Thus, vayechulu attests to the creation of the world by a free, wise, and almighty G-d.
Based on the commentary of Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch zt”l on Chumash, with permission from the publisher.
