Summaries

__10/9/11__

Summary of our discussions of Adam the first:

Humanity = dignity = responsibility = majesty

As a human, Adam the first was commanded to FILL and CONQUER  the earth, and to ”be man, to be himself”. By doing this Adam is able establish his HUMANITY .

We have already established that Adam the first was blessed with the human mind. According to Soloveitchik, Adam the first has the ability to ANALAYZE  his surroundings (nature of the world), have the yearning to search for HOW it works, RECREATE these surroundings, and finally CONQUER  them. Examples of this process are our ability to beat infection (penicillin) and transportation (combustion engine, flight, going into space). This is how Adam the first is able to achieve DIGNITY <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.

Adam the first’s mission (or purpose), according to Rabbi Soloveitchik, is to take advantage of this blessing. Adam must always push forward with innovations and abilities. Once Adam stops pursuing, he has lost his dignity, but by pushing and always trying to progress Adam fulfills his <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3c78d8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ֵֵRESPONSIBILITY <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. According to Rabbi Soloveitchik “one cannot assume responsibility as long as he is not capable of living up to his commitments”.

Once Adam does all of these things, he is able to achieve the level that God commanded of him. Adam’s quest has been one of “freedom” as he changes from “man-slave” into “man-master”. Man has no choice but to obey the command he was given, because of this his mind searches and works to achieve more. Through this man is able to live in harmony with “his nature which was created, willed, and directed by his Makder” for his use. By doing this Adam reaches his <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3c78d8; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">MAJESTY <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.