It is commonly believed that Rosh Hashana is the birthday of planet earth, it is not. According to Jewish Tradition Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of Adam, not the earth. It honors Adam's creation and through him the entire human race. The Earth, according to a strict reading of the Genesis account, was created on the 25th Elul.
According to our Sacred Texts the Creator named the first human being אָדָ֧ם ("Adam"). When this name is pronounced in Hebrew, we can almost hear the Hebrew word "adamah", which means 'earth' or 'ground'. This is doubtless because "...the LORD God formed man from the dust of the earth." Adam was formed from 'adamah’, the dust of the Earth. But unlike the rest of the earthly creation we are more than that! The Creator breathed in this earthly construct His own Life! As Rashi notes below: "He made him of earthly matter and of heavenly matter: the body of earthly matter the soul of heavenly matter."
"And the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and He breathed into his nostrils the soul of life, and man became a living soul. This establishes that unlike the celestial beings, the angels and so on, human being are creature of this material planet" -- Genesis 2:7)Of this process Rashi note:formed: [וַיִּיצֶר, with two "yuds," hints at] two creations, a creation for this world and a creation for the [time of the] resurrection of the dead, but in connection with the animals, which do not stand in judgment, two "yuds" are not written in [the word וַיִּצֶר describing their creation. — [from Tan. Tazria 1]
dust from the ground: He gathered dust from the entire earth, from the four directions, so that wherever he [man] would die, it [the earth] would accept him for burial (Tan. Pekudei 3). Another explanation: He took his dust from the place of which it is said (Exod. 20:21): "You shall make Me an altar of earth." If only it would be an atonement for him, so that he might endure! (Gen. Rabbah 14:8)
and He breathed into his nostrils: He made him of earthly matter and of heavenly matter: the body of earthly matter the soul of heavenly matter. Because on the first day, heaven and earth were created. On the second day, He created the firmament for the heavenly beings; on the third day [He commanded], “and let the dry land appear,” for the earthly beings; on the fourth day, He created luminaries for the heavenly beings; on the fifth day, [He commanded],“Let the waters swarm,” for the earthly beings; on the sixth day, it became necessary to create for both the heavenly and the earthly beings, for if not, there would be jealousy in the Creation, for these would exceed those by the creation of one day. — [from Gen. Rabbah 12:8]
a living soul: Cattle and beasts were also called living souls, but this one of man is the most alive of them all, because he was additionally given intelligence and speech.There is therefore a direct connection between Adam-Adamah. Even though all the animals were created from the earth, Adam is the only one named after the adamah (אדמה), the earth. Human being are "of the Earth" like no other creation. When we say "Earthlings" we mean human beings.
Due to assimilation and placing scientific theory ahead of Torah, many people today are doubting the Torah's record of our creation. They claim the so-called "Big Bang" can be harmonized with Torah. It can't be. According to our sages the animals were created 'almost completed'. This means that since the time the Earth was cursed due to Adam's decision they too are cursed. Their 'perfection' will be but a small matter once we are situated within the Olam Haba (The coming Messianic Age)). Human beings are a different matter. While we were created as humans, not as monkeys or blue-green algae, it is out lot to be in a constant state of advancing towards ever more complete perfection. This is because we are both "Earthling" and Children of the Divine One. This dual nature places the need for Devekut ever before us. Adam and Chava (Eve) were created in a basic, pure state but their dual nature of yetzer hatov and yetzer hara have always driven humanity with need to developed. Not physically but spiritually. Because of their choices their physical forms were diminished. This diminishment can only be reversed through emunah and Torah observance. Humans require hard work, both physically and spiritually, in order to reach their full potential and to bear fruit. In this we are unique among the creatures of the Earth (adam/adamah).
Also from the Hebrew name "Adam" we notice the Hebrew word דם (dam), blood. Adam is an earthly creature – adam – with blood ("dam") and has been from the very beginning. We know that the Torah views Earthly life as being based on the significance of the blood or dam of the living creatures. This is why. The first man, the overseer and protector of all life forms is A-Dam, one who shares earthly blood with the rest of the animals. If we really wish to see the Messianic Kingdom established it is vital that we stand up as "Adam" and rule this planet as intended from the very beginning. To paraphrase Pirkei Avot, 'If not now, then when? If not us, then who?'
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