The way a writer opens his work reveals much about his fundamental approach and intent. This is certainly true when speaking about a great Torah giant and biblical commentator like Rashi.
Shlomo Yitzchaki, who is renowned for his legendary commentaries on the entire Torah and on the Talmud.
Among all of Rashi’s teachings, the one that the Rebbe would highlight most frequently was Rashi’s opening statement in his commentary on the Torah.
Rashi begins:
Rabbi Yitzchak commented: The Torah should have started from “This month shall be for you,” given to Israel, the Jewish people. Why did G-d begin the Torah with “In the beginning?” Because of the profound message implied by the verse “In the beginning G-d created heaven and earth.” “The strength of His works He related to His people to give them the inheritance of nations.” If the nations of the world will tell Israel, “You are robbers, for you conquered the lands of seven nations,” Israel will respond to their accusation: “The entire earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He; He created it and gave it to whomever He deemed proper.”
Rashi invites a person to adopt a way of thinking that stems from Torah’s wisdom, which makes it clear that the land of Israel was given to the Jewish people by the Creator of heaven and earth.
In this way, it not only provides guidelines on how to answer the nations of the world, but also it aligns us with G-d’s intent and empowers us to conduct our everyday life, in any and all places, with the ability to draw down the strength of G-d to manifest His providence as He does in the land of Israel.
The Rebbe further explained that on this basis, it is possible to understand the emphasis on the word “strength” in the verse “The strength of His works He related to His people.”
In order to refute the claims and arguments of the nations of the world, one must realize that all existence is “His works.” One must also realize that “the strength” – referring to the inner intent and motivating purpose – of “His works” was related to His people.
Additionally, the verse employs the verb “related,” and not “told,” because it connotes “conveyed.” G-d conveyed and transmitted strength – the inner motivating force of His works – to His people. This strength is what enables the Divine service of the Jewish people to transform G-d’s “works” – material existence – into holiness.
