Then the Lord God formed (vaYitzer)
man …
Genesis 2:7
Ba’al
haTurim notes that the
Torah also uses the word vaYitzer in regard to the creation of the
animals, but with a different spelling. (2:19) Whereas, in our verse,
concerning man, vaYitzer is spelled fully, with two yods, in connection
with the animals, the word is spelled incompletely, with a single yod.
My father explained that the additional
yod indicates that man too, is a partner in God’s creation, in His
formation. Animals, in essence, are created complete. The animal itself does
have to do anything to complete its creation. Not so with man. Man must “form”
and develop himself in order to become Man. In doing his part, by forming
himself, and adding, as it were, to what God Himself had formed, man indeed
becomes God’s partner in creation.
The concept of man’s actions making him
a partner with God can be seen four verses earlier as well: “And God blessed
the seventh day and made it holy for with it He ceased all His work which God
in creating had made (2:3)
The Hebrew can also be understood “which
God had created for the purpose of doing.” It is man’s duty to continue God’s
work of creation by “doing,” through fulfilling God’s will.
This brings us to an additional hint of
the extra yod. The numerical equivalent of yod is ten, a reminder
of the Ten Commandments, which, according to Rabbinic tradition encapsulate all
613 mitzvot. It is specifically through fulfilling mitzvot that we are able to realize our role as God’s junior
partner.
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