This week, we read from parashat Noach, detailing the famed story of Noah’s ark. However, in order to understand this story in depth, we’ll first revisit a detail from last week’s story of creation:
“God created humanity in God’s image; in the image of God, God created them, male and female alike.”
— Genesis 1:27
A little over one week ago, students in our Camp Wise Sundays program explored the concept of what it means to be created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, as this concept, once internalized, has profound consequences upon the manner in which we behave.
Students began by exploring their character. By acknowledging that we are created b’tzelem Elohim, we recognize that we each possess Divine gifts that we may bestow upon the world, and students explored these gifts, naming them as their superpowers. Next, they acknowledged that just as one would readily love and revere God, so, too, must we love and revere ourselves, for we, too, are in the image of the Divine. We do this by nurturing and developing ourselves and the gifts we bring to the world. This concept shapes how we interact with the world in everything we do, from our written and spoken words, to our friendships, to what we eat, to the basketball court. When we forget our Divinity, even for an instant, it becomes too easy to devalue ourselves.
Similarly, students later explored how we interact with one another. By acknowledging that we are all created b’tzelem Elohim, we also recognize that everyone possesses Divinity. Just as one would readily love and revere God, so, too, must we love and revere one another, for we all are in the image of the Divine. We do this by reaching out to one another with curiosity, respect, and compassion. This concept shapes how we interact with the world in everything we do, from our written and spoken words, to our friendships, to what we eat, to the basketball court. When we forget others’ Divinity, even for an instant, it becomes too easy to devalue others.
— Rabbi Josh Knobel