Do we have the power to create a human being? Of course not. We’re mortal and Only Hakadosh Baruch Hu creates life. Only He decides who enters this world and when. And yet, from the very opening verses of Parshas Lech Lecha, the Torah reveals something astonishing. There is, in fact, an entirely different kind of creation.
The Pasuk says: “V’es hanefesh asher asu b’Charan—And the souls they [Avraham and Sarah] made in Charan” (Bereishis 12:5).
Avraham and Sarah “made souls.” But how can that be? Were they creators of life? Obviously not. Rashi explains that they “made” these souls by bringing people closer to Hashem. They spoke to them about truth, about emunah, about purpose. They lifted people out of the fog of idolatry and showed them the light of meaning.
That’s the Torah’s language. When you bring someone closer to Hashem, you are not merely influencing them; you are creating them anew. You’ve taken someone who was lost in spiritual darkness, disconnected, aimless, and given them clarity, joy, and direction. In the Torah’s eyes, that is nothing less than creating a soul.
“V’nefesh asher asu b’Charan” teaches that when you help another person discover Hashem, you’ve given birth to something eternal. You’ve breathed life into another soul.
And here’s the beautiful part: it doesn’t require extraordinary effort. You don’t have to be a great mashpia or spend hours teaching Torah. Even the smallest act—a kind word, a warm invitation, a thoughtful comment—can ignite something within another Jew.
A smile that softens someone’s heart. A word that encourages another. A Shabbos meal that leaves an impression. Sometimes, it’s just living with joy—being visibly proud, happy, and at peace as a Jew—that draws others closer. They see your life, your family, your light—and they say, “I want to learn more about that.”
And in that moment, Hakadosh Baruch Hu looks down and says, “You didn’t just inspire someone; you gave them life.” At that moment, we become partners with Hashem in creating souls.
So as we move through our life, let’s look around and ask ourselves: Who can I uplift? Who can I inspire? Who can I remind that there’s more light in this world than they think?
Because when we do, we fulfill the legacy of Avraham and Sarah, and become creators not only of bodies, but of souls.
