28 Tisrei – 13 October 2023
G-d formed man of dust from the ground (adamah) Genesis 2:7. This is why the human is called Adam. But this verse concludes by telling us that G-d blew into his nostrils the breath of life. Breath in Hebrew is neshima – this refers to the spiritual part of who we are. The Hebrew word for soul is neshama.
Our name Adam does reflect our physical origins. But Adam is also related to the phrase in Isaiah 14:14, “adameh l’Elyon” – I will liken myself to the Most High! As spiritual beings, we have the potential to resemble and model our lives after the Almighty. “You shall be holy, as I, your G-d, am Holy” (Leviticus 19:1).
By Rabbi Michael Skobac
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