I, THOU & A GOLEM-MAKER

He [Rabbi Akiva] would say: "Beloved are humans for they were created in the Image. Even greater was the love that made us aware that we are created in the divine image, as it is said 'In the divine image God made humankind.'" (Genesis 9:6)

"Beloved is Israel who are called children of the Onmipresent. Even greater was the love that made them aware that they are called children of the Omnipresent, as it is said, 'Children are you, of YHVH your God.'" (Deut. 14:1)

"Beloved are Israel who have been given a precious instrument. Even greater was the love that made them aware that they had been given that precious instrument with which the world was created, as it is said, 'I have given you a good doctrine, My Torah: do not forsake it.'"

Your Avot Navigator

1. Before speaking of Israel's uniqueness, why does Rabbi Akiva speak of the beloved qualities of all humanity?
2. What are the two qualities that make Israel special?
3. How do they relate to each other?

A Word

The Maharal of Prague understood the statement "Beloved are humans for they were created in the Image" as having practical implications. When explaining the mitzvah of welcoming the stranger into one's home, he says the following:

"For when one brings a guest into his home and honors him only because he was created in the image of God, then it is considered as if he has honored the Divine presence Herself which is greater than honoring the Torah. That is why the statement 'Beloved are humans for they are created in the image of God' is mentioned first and only afterward are Israel and the Torah mentioned. Know, however, that these statements only refer to welcoming guests who are new faces to one's home. For when one receives guests and honors them he is honoring the Divine presence Herself, as it is written 'Beloved are humans who are created in the image of God.'"

Martin Buber, eat your heart out.