“היא בכל ארץ ויתרון” (Koheles 5:8). What is the meaning of this passuk? It means that even things that seem to be extraneous to us in the world, such as flies and mosquitoes, which do not seem to serve any purpose other than to cause pain to humanity, are beneficial to the world.
This is the meaning of our passuk, “And the extra [creations] of the land” – even those that appear to be extra and provide no benefit – “are included in ‘bakol’” – in all that Hashem created. When Hashem finished His Creation, the Torah states: “And Elokim saw all that He had done and beheld it was very good.” Each and every part of creation that Hashem created is very good and beneficial; nothing is for naught.
(Based on Shemos Rabbah 10:1)
Everything Is Prepared for a Time of Need
Everything that Hashem created has the exact size and amount necessary for itself and for the world, no more and no less. Even if something seems unnecessary, Shlomo Hamelech has already asserted that everything in Creation has its purpose. This can be compared to a person embarking on a lengthy trip or cruise. He does not suffice with packing the things he needs at present. He will pack many things that he usually does not use at all at home. In much the same way, Hashem prepared for us everything that will become necessary at any time. He also created things that might become necessary in certain circumstances, such as medicines and other segulos.
(Based on Ohel Yaakov, HaMaggid MiDubno)
A Foundation in Emunah
A fundamental principle of our emunah is that Hashem does nothing without purpose. Even though we cannot fathom the reasons for many things that exist, the truth is that they have a purpose.
(Based on Beis Habechirah LaMeiri, Shabbos 77a)
No Extraneous Person in the World
This principle applies to every person and object in the world. That is why it says (Pirkei Avos 4:3), “Do not despise any person.” Do not think that any person is worthless or is not needed. Likewise (ibid.), “Do not disregard any object,” – referring to every other thing existing in the world, which a person might disregard, deciding that there is no need for it to exist. This must not be done, for “there is no person who does not have his time.” This means that every person has his own unique mazal, his own place.
Every person has his own spiritual protection, and therefore the world needs his existence. The world would be lacking without him. This can be compared to the Torah’s mitzvos – all of them are components of the perfectly complete Torah, and the Torah is all-inclusive; no word or letter is unnecessary.
In the same way, every person that Hakadosh Baruch Hu placed on earth is needed for the word’s wholeness. Likewise, every object existing in the world has a purpose. The Mishnah specified people because every person has his personal protective angel, as the Gemara teaches in Bava Kama. All other things are managed according to Hashem’s wisdom. The words “do not despise” are used regarding people, since every person deserves respect. Regarding other objects, we are warned not to “disregard them.”
(Based on Derech Hachaim, Maharal)
