The beginning of this week’s Parsha speaks about the Halachos of Tumah – impurity when a woman has a baby and the Korbonos she has to bring in the Beis Hamikdash.
There is an interesting Midrash that says, ‘a woman who gives birth to a ‘zochor’ – a male, why is it called a ‘zochor’? ‘zochor’ means a male and also has the same letters as ‘zechor’ to remember, because a person must remember his creator and His Mitzvos and know that for this purpose he was created, born and exists. Therefore each and every one of us must say, ‘Bishvili nivrah ha’olam’ – the world was created for me.’
The Gemarah in Brochos (58:) writes that when the Tanna Ben Zoma would come to the Beis Hamikdash he would go to a place where he could see a gathering of at least 600,000 Jews, he would say a special blessing and would add a blessing thanking Hashem that all these people were created to serve him - Ben Zoma.
The Ben Ish Chai explains that although this sounds a statement coming from a haughty person, in actual fact, it was just the opposite. Ben Zoma saw how much benefit he has from this world, how many people were created and did work, from which he – Ben Zoma benefited. He wasn’t just thanking Hashem for such kindness but also expressing his recognition of the massive responsibility that lay on him. If Hashem created so many people to help him succeed, can one imagine what expectations Hashem had from Ben Zoma.
Ben Zoma didn’t run away from this, just the opposite realizing his responsibility, he spent time working on himself and elevating himself.
When the Midrash writes that everyone must say that the world was created for them, it is actually opening our eyes to the responsibility all of us have.
To understand this better let us see the continuation of the Gemarah.
He (Ben Zoma) would say, ‘look how much bother Adam Harishon had to work till he had bread to eat. He had to plough, plant seeds, harvest, bundle, thresh, winnow, sieving, mixing a dough, baking and only then did he have some bread. And I find everything prepared for me.’
‘Look how much work Adam Harishon had until he had clothing to wear. He had to shear, clean, comb, spin, and weave clothing and I have everything prepared for me.’
Ben Zoma saw how many people were involved in preparing his food and clothing. He wasn’t haughty or a snob, he realized that in return he owed Hashem so much more.
