We have what we seek. It is there all the time, and if we give it time it will make itself known to us. -Thomas Merton

When God creates the world, He doesn’t do so in one fell sweep. It’s a process. He takes His time. The narrative of Genesis has God creating our world via ten different utterances. Ten divine statements are what brought everything into being.

The Sfat Emet in 5631 (1871) explains there is a deep and intrinsic connection between the Ten Utterances of Creation, The Ten Plagues of Egypt and The Ten Commandments of Mt. Sinai.

The Ten Utterances created the world. The Ten Plagues afflicted the world, but in some metaphysical way the affliction refined the Ten Utterances and revealed the Ten Commandments that illuminated the world. Creation was completed only when the revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai took place and the powerful Ten Commandments were given.

There is an essential connection between the creation of the world, the Exodus from Egypt and the Revelation of Sinai. The confluence of Ten hints at that.

May we appreciate the confluences in our lives.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To the convergence of many friends and family for a wonderful celebration.