According to the Torah’s perspective, really we are from elyonim, higher realms. As such we ought to be classified together with them. The main thing is makes that less than angels is that we have a body and physical needs, but that does not detract from the fact that we are essentially spiritual beings like angels. Put simply, man is a spiritual being who has physical properties. What sets us aside from the animal kingdom is our soul that expresses itself in our capacity for intelligent thought and moral behaviour. As such all physical similarities between us and animals are secondary and ought not to be the deciding factor as to how we are defined.
That is what the pasuk means when it says ותחסרהו מעט מאלוקים , yet You have made him (man) but slightly less than angels. The true essence of man is that he is a G-dly being with advanced intellect, a spiritual essence and his soul will live forever. There is nothing else in the physical world that comes close to this level of greatness.
The planets and heavenly bodies, for all their incredible size and imposing positions are mere physical beings and are not capable of this greatness. They don’t hold a candle to us!
Discover more from Rabbi Roodyn
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
