The Mind Body Debate
Many people know intuitively that Man is not simply just an intelligent animal. There is categoric distinction that separates him from animal. What is that distinction?
This week’s Parsha, Breishis, tells us of HaShem’s creation of Man and identifies the distinction that separates him from all the other creatures. “And HaShem said ‘Let us make Man in our tzelem …. and HaShem created Man in the tzelem of elokim…” Regarding Man the Torah teaches us that he was created in the tzelem elokim, in the image of elokim. Regarding the rest of the creatures this component of tzelem elokim does not exist. So the distinction between and the rest of creation is tzelem elokim. If we could properly define tzelem elokim we would understand the Torah’s insight to this question.
Our Sages explain that the word tzelem comes from the word tzeil which means shade. The two-dimensional form of the shade is identical to the object creating the shade but it is no way a duplicate of that object, it is only it’s shade. Tzelem is one step closer to the object; it resembles the object just as the shade but it has the ability to achieve that same status of the object. In other words, the tzelem of elokim is an kernel of elokim that has the capacity to become an full blown elokim. Therefore a tzelem of elokim not only resembles elokim but can achieve the same status of elokim if the necessary steps are taken.
We need only to define elokim and we will now understand the distinction between Man and the rest of creation. Before we attempt to define elokim let us diverge a moment.
Those of us who live in the physical world as we know it, are accustomed to identify things that exist in terms of their physical expression. So that we would say that a dog exists, dirt exists even air and electricity exist but a thought does not exist. It is just a thought it does not have an existence. This is perhaps the reason why many people struggle with the notion of the existence of a soul. Since there is no physical expression of the soul; it cannot be seen or weighed. It cannot be subjected to any other form of physical measurement. It therefore is just an idea not true existence.
However, there is a different approach to understanding existence which does not limit itself to physical expression. Rather, it includes non-physical expressions as well. While anything that exists must have some expression, it need not be physical. In fact, once one is able to accept this notion they will discover that those things that exist in the non-physical realm have a greater expression of existence than those things that are limited to physical expression. The reason for this is that everything in the physical realm terminates sooner or later. All physical existence is subject to the laws of physics which include entropy and is subject to dissolve.
Let us now return to our question. Elokim is defined as intellect. Intellect is a non-physical entity that exists outside of the physical world. Which means that HaShem created Man in the tzelem of elokim. This means that Man has within him a kernel of elokim that resembles intellect but is not yet true intellect. Man, however, has the capacity to develop that tzelem into an actual elokim. If Man chooses, he can take the necessary steps and become a full blown elokim. But if he chooses not to do so, he will remain with that tzelem. Moshe was the prototype as the Torah refers to him as “a Man of elokim”. He succeeded in turning that tzelem elokim into an actual elokim.
The Torah contains the steps necessary to take us from tzelem elokim to actual elokim. Every person can advance their tzelem further and further. How blessed we are that we were given this incredible gift and fortunate is the one who takes advantage of it!
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind