By Rabbi Ryan E. Daniels
On this second day of Session 3, let us explore the second day of Creation as explained in Torah:
God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, that it may separate water from water.” God made the expanse, and separated the water which was below the expanse from the water which was above the expanse. And it was so (Genesis 1:6-7).
The Italian biblical commentator Sforno (1475-1550) gleans two important lessons from the passage: First, the universe is governed by the laws of science, and in Creation, God ordered the primordial matter that once swirled about to create a world that was livable for plants, animals and humans. Second, separating the waters below from the waters above made room for the atmospheric waters to descend as rain, sleet and snow.
When we look out onto the rolling hills of Governor’s Academy, the nearby ocean waves or mighty summertime thunderstorms, we are reminded of the beauty of Creation and the power of God.
Surely, that is an invitation to prayer…
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who stretches the earth over the waters.