Rabbi Meir Kahane Discusses Unity and Divine Power in Genesis
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Meir Kahane discussed the Genesis concept of God's oneness as the source of all forces, including good and evil. He explained biblical verses about "one day" to illustrate divine unity before the creation of angels and the manifestation of various forces. Kahane highlighted the Jewish mission to unify all global forces, drawing parallels between the seventy nations and the twelve tribes. He stressed the importance of national unity, especially during divisive times like elections, to fulfill their divine purpose.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Meir Kahane stressed God's oneness as the source of all forces, including good and evil.
- He explained the Genesis phrase "one day" to signify divine unity before creation's full manifestation.
- Kahane referenced Rashi and Ramban's interpretations of the "one day" verse.
- The commentary "Kli Yakar" was cited regarding the contrast between light and darkness.
- He linked the concept to the Jewish mission of unifying global forces.
- The rabbi emphasized national unity, especially during elections, to fulfill a divine purpose.
Rabbi Meir Kahane, in a Torah discussion for the weekly portion of Genesis (Parashat Bereshit), emphasized the Jewish people's unique role in proclaiming God as one, the ultimate source of all forces in the world, including light and darkness, good and evil. He explained that this concept is foundational, appearing at the very beginning of the Torah. Kahane referenced the verse "It was evening and it was morning, one day" (Genesis 1:5), exploring interpretations by Rashi and Ramban regarding the designation "one day" instead of "first day." Rashi, citing Midrash Rabbah, suggests it was because angels were created on the second day, and God was still alone on the first. Ramban, on the other hand, argued that "first" only applies when a "second" exists, just as the First Temple is named retroactively after the Second Temple. The "Kli Yakar" commentary, as noted by Kahane, focuses on the inherent contrast between light and darkness, good and evil, and how some beliefs denied a single source for both. This contrasts with the Jewish faith, which asserts that God is the source of both, a concept reflected in daily prayers that acknowledge both day and night. Kahane further elaborated on the idea that forces in creation, like natural phenomena, were perceived by idolaters as independent deities. However, the Jewish belief is that all these forces originate from God, hence the emphasis on "one day" before the full manifestation of these forces. He connected this to the development of the Jewish people from Adam through the patriarchs and the eventual formation of the twelve tribes and the seventy souls who descended to Egypt. This process, he explained, mirrors the dispersion of forces within the nation and the seventy nations of the world, with Israel's mission to unify these forces and elevate them. Kahane concluded by relating these ideas to contemporary times, particularly during election periods when tensions arise, stressing the necessity of internal unity as the basis for fulfilling their divine mission and achieving full divine manifestation in the world.
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