“Whosoever spills a man’s blood, by man shall his blood be spilled, for Man was made in the image of G-d.” (Beraishis 9:6)
There are several approaches to the message of Man being created in the image of G-d. One focuses on the use of the word, “Elokim,” which is also used to describe judges. As Onkelos explains, the murderer is to be killed only if there are witnesses and a judge. Without that, people cannot put him to death. Instead, Hashem will find another way to take the killer from the world.
However, it is important that there be a system of law and order in the world so people do not do whatever they want. If they did, they would destroy the planet (and basically did that in the time of Noach.) This is why the Torah requires a murderer to be judged and accountable to others.
Just before this verse, Hashem told Noach that the animals would fear Man. Even though the animals in the ark only felt the care and concern of Noah, and they might not be fearful of people, Hashem put this instinct into them. This way, they would not harm human beings. This adds another dimension to the idea of the tzelem Elokim.
If a human being, who has intellect, could see that animals did not harm humans, and still be unafraid or undeterred to harm a person who was created in the image of Hashem, such a person has forfeited his own life and is put to death. He has underestimated Man’s greatness and willingly snuffed out a life. But there is more.
What is the “image of G-d,” we speak of? We know that Hashem has no corporeal form. How then, is Man created in “His image”?
Hashem is known to us by His attributes and how He interacts with us. He is a giver; He is a creator. When we say that a person is created in Hashem’s image, it means that we each have some of that “creator” in us. Indeed, our purpose is to become partners with Hashem in the world and complete the things He has left for us to do.
The wicked Turnus Rufus asked Rabbi Akiva, “Whose deeds are greater, those of Hashem or of Man?” He expected the answer to be Hashem, whereupon he could question our act of mila/circumcision. R’ Akiva showed him wheat, and showed him bread. He then asked the same question, which was better? His point was that Hashem gives us the basics and expects us to create good from them.
This murderer did not merely ignore the fact that his victim was created in Hashem’s image and imbued with the ability and capacity for greatness. Instead, he also underestimated his OWN innate greatness. Because he became a destroyer, and not a creator, he negated his personal purpose in this world. For that reason, he is judged to have forfeited his life. We have greatness inside us, waiting to sprout. Let us nurture it and help it grow.
R’ Zalman Senders was a chosid of R’ Shneur Zalman of Liadi z”l, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe. R’ Zalman had been a wealthy man until he tragically lost all of his money. Unsure of how to proceed, he went to the Rebbe, and described his desperate situation.
The rebbe closed his eyes in thought and, after a few minutes, said to him, “My dear R’ Zalman, it is obvious that you have given much thought to your needs. Let me ask you, have you given as much thought to why you are needed?”
©2024 – J. Gewirtz
