“In His Image” Day?

the list goes on forever, there is “taco” day, “hamburger” day and “donut” day. today, this friday, according to some, is being offered up as “jihad” day. with no rules and regulations concerning “day” claiming, the ten commandments project has chosen to declare today as today “in his image” day. “in his image” day pertains to this week’s torah portion bereshit.

bereshit, genesis, chapter one, line 26 is perhaps the bible’s most famous sentence: “and god said, “let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

almost as soon as these eternal words were inscribed on parchment, the question “what is god’s image?” has been asked and debated. knowing god’s image gives us a glimpse into what is humanity. after adam and eve consumed the forbidden fruit, we learn that “to know good and bad” makes one god-like. genesis 3:22. from bereshit, we also know that the creator of the universe is an agent of “good”. god’s labors over six days of creation were declared “good”. the totality of the creation was labeled on the sixth day as being “very good”. genesis 1:31

today, we will witness across the world whether how much of humanity understands and appreciates that this part of the image of god that was placed within them. we will learn whether individuals are capable of discerning what is truly good and what is evil.

today, there may be people who will celebrate and endorse barbarism and cruelty. today, there may be people who wish to express concern for the innocent who are trapped within a horrific all too real game of violent chess. today, there may be people who understand that terroristic actions against a state would bring on an expected harsh response. today, there may be people who will wonder how many people in this world are incapable of discerning good from evil.

today, and this shabbat in which bereshit is read, is truly the moment to reflect upon humanity’s capacity to conduct itself in “his image”.

be well and be in peace!!!