In order for us to receive the utmost from the Torah, as our guide and mentor, we must examine every detail written in the Torah and draw some constructive conclusion from it. In Parshas Beraishis, we learn about the creation, and this is actually the basis for our belief in Hashem, as the creator of the world and all of its inhabitants. There seems to be one detail, which might not shed any light on the creation, since it was not part of the world, and was discarded as soon as Hashem said, “Let there be light”. The narration reads, Vehaaretz Hayesa Sohu Vevohu Vechoshech Al Pnay Sehome, there was Sohu and Vohu and darkness on the face of the deep. We can understand why the word darkness is included in describing the state of the world before Hashem uttered the first command, since there was an absence of light, that meant that there was darkness. But what do we learn from the words Sohu Vavohu? Indeed, all the major commentators struggle to explain these words, and there is little agreement among them regarding the actual meaning of these two words.
Perhaps, we could include some of their interpretations in order to draw some practical conclusion. The English translation is either void and empty, or unformed and confused. This tells us that Hashem wanted to create this world with no connection with what preceded it. Obviously, there was a world beneath the deep waters, and Hashem commanded the waters to separate and let the earth be seen. From there Hashem proceeded to create the rest of the world we know today.
Be that as it may, it is safe to say that the words portray the status of the world before Hashem spent the next six days creating the world we see. The Pesukim in the Chumash would therefore read as follows:
Beraishis Bara Elokim Es Hashamayim V’es Haaretz, In the beginning Hashem created the heavens and the earth. Why did Hashem have to create them? Because at that point there were deep waters covering the earth, and the world was Sohu Vavohu, void and empty. Hashem wanted a world which could recognize Him as the creator and declare, as we do, Hashem Hu HaElokim, Hashem Yimloch L’Olam Vaed, Hashem is the Lord, and His dominion shall last forever.
A world which is void and empty, is hardly the place where Hashem could be so recognized. It was absolutely uninhabitable, there were no intelligent people to realize that there is G-D, or even a need for this recognition. Therefore Hashem set about during the next six days, first preparing all that mankind will need to inhabit the world, including, vegetation, fish, birds and animals, and finally, man, who will bring His creation to fruition.
According to Chazal, the sages of the Talmud, man was created on Rosh Hashanah and recognized Hashem as the creator, and that is one of the ten reasons cited by Rav Saadye Gaon, as to the blowing of the Shofar, when we anoint Hashem as the king. That means, that the days of creation occurred during the month of Elul. Using the Torah as our guide, we too have to follow in Hashem’s footsteps, and emulate His plans.
Just as Hashem could not accept an empty and void world, neither should we accept a life devoid or empty of religious practice. Even if we attained a certain amount of religious heights, based on what we studied and were inspired by our Rabbis and teachers, we may never be satisfied with what we accomplished. This is the month during which we must try to emulate the days preceding creation, so that we prepare ourselves to start a new year on Rosh Hashanah, which will find favor in the eyes of Hashem. Just as He said “And it was good” following each day’s creation, so too, we hope that Hashem will say, about that which we will do, “Behold it is good.”
