“Man was created one and alone in the world. And why was he created one and alone in the world? That the righteous might not say, “We are the children of a righteous man,” and the wicked, “We are the children of a wicked man.”
Another explanation of why was he created one and alone? That families might not quarrel: since even now, when all men come from the same stock, they quarrel, how much more would they do so if they had come from different stocks!
Man was created last (in the order of creation). And why was he created last? Lest the heretics should say: We (mankind) were partners with G-d in his work.
Another explanation: Why was man created last? That if his mind become too proud, it may be said to him: “The mosquito preceded thee in the order of creation.” (Tosefta, Sanhedrin 8:4-9)
Why did G-d create only one Adam (man) and not many at a time?
“To teach us that he who destroys a single soul destroys a whole world and that he who saves a single soul saves a whole world; furthermore, so no race or class may claim a nobler ancestry, saying, ‘Our father was born first’; and, finally, to give testimony to the greatness of the L-rd, who caused the wonderful diversity of mankind to emanate from one type. And why was Adam (man) created last of all beings? To teach him humility; for if he be overbearing, let him remember that the little fly preceded him in the order of creation.”
He did this to demonstrate that one man in himself is an entire universe. Also He wished to teach mankind that he who kills one human being is as guilty as if he had destroyed the entire world. Similarly, he who saves the life of one single human being is as worthy as if he had saved all of humanity.
G-d created only one man so that people should not try to feel superior to one another and boast of their lineage in this wise: “I am descended from a more distinguished Adam (man) than you.”
He also did this so that the heathen should not be able to say that, since many men had been created at the same time, it was conclusive proof that there was more than one G-d. (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5)
“Let man ever bear in mind that the Holy One dwells in him.” (Ta’anis 11b)
“And G-d saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) “Man, a miniature world in whom there is a completion of the cosmic order, and its beauty, glory and perfection.” (Chovos HaLevavos – Duties of the Heart 2:4, 1040 ce) How do we know this to be true? The term tov me’od – very good reveals an important message. The word me’od is composed of the Hebrew letters mem aleph dalet which are the same letters in the word “adam” – aleph dalet mem. When the Holy One, blessed be He, on the last day of creation, said “tov me’od” – very good it was a recognition that man-adam was not only the completion of creation but was the embodiment of creation. This is reflected in the teaching, “Every man is a composite of the heavenly and the earthly. (Zohar, Bereishis 130b)
Man is the steward of creation – the protector/preserver of creation. “When the Holy One, blessed be He created the first human beings, He led them around the Garden of Eden and said: “Look at my works! See how beautiful they are. How Excellent! For your sake, I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world, for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.” (Kohelles Rabbah on 7:13)
Man is a tremendous force for change with a great potential for change. For this reason man must be proactive and strive to change the world for the good. In other words, “Where there are no men, try to be a man.” (Avos 2:5)
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
Click here for more storytelling resources
Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
