“Let there be lights in the canopy of Heaven” (Bereshis 1:14)
All products of Heaven and Earth were created on the first day and each one was firmly fixed in its place on the day that it was commanded. (RASHI)

The last time I saw a movie was many years ago. Well, this past Chol HaMoed, I saw a new movie called Iron Man 3. It is so new that it is not even in the theaters yet. Actually, it is not going to be in the theaters until sometime this spring. So how did I see it? During Chol HaMoed, my family and I went to Vizcaya in Miami. Vizcaya was a winter home/mansion and garden of a wealthy businessman that was built about 100 years ago. During our visit, part of the garden area was closed off because a scene from Iron Man 3 was being filmed there. I’d like to relate my experience to this week’s parsha.

As we pulled up to the parking lot of Vizcaya, there were a bunch of trailers and cars from the movie staff that filled the spots. We needed to park across the street at the science museum because that was the only place that had empty spots. There were over 100 people (maybe even 200 people) involved in filming this scene at Vizcaya. As we were walking the grounds, we were able to hear gun shots and see part of the scene they were filming. (I even heard the director call out “Ready… Action”.) The scene lasted no more than 2 minutes. While we were at Vizcaya, the same scene was shot at least 5 or 6 times.

Now think about this. This 2 minute scene had to be filmed over and over again so it could be made as perfect as possible. Over a hundred people needed to be involved in the filming and it took many hours to film it.

Compare this to Hashem creating the world. How long did it take Hashem to create the world? Many people think 7 days or 6 days, but it was actually only one moment. As Rashi points out in this week’s parsha, in the beginning on the first day, Hashem created everything. The different products were not placed in their proper place though until its appropriate day. It is like going to a banquet. All of the food is cooked before the banquet begins, but different courses come out at different times. The rolls come out first. Then comes the salad. Then the soup. Next the meat and chicken with vegetables. Finally, the dessert. All of it was cooked beforehand, but it did not come out until its appropriate time. The same was with Creation: first the Heaven and Earth, then the seas, then the trees, the sun and moon, fish, birds, animals, and man. But all were made beforehand.

So, let’s compare Hashem to the movie-makers. The movie-makers need a hundred people and many hours to make something that lasts two minutes. Hashem created the whole entire world that has lasted thousands of years by Himself in a moment.

Now let’s take this a step further. How much would someone give to be able to meet one of the “stars” of the Iron Man movie? Imagine you got to meet one of the multi-millionaire actors. Even if the meeting was only for a few moments, most people would do almost anything for that moment. For some people, if the “star” waved directly to them, even though there was a large distance between them, they would go crazy. They would excitedly tell all of their friends of their meeting with this “star”.

Well, if that is exciting then imagine how much greater it is to have a meeting with Hashem! Then remember that everyone has a private meeting with Hashem three times a day when we daven. Not only that but we have his cell phone number and can call him (and reach him — there’s no voicemail) whenever we want to.

During this year, let’s all work on focusing on this idea, even if it is only once a week, during our davening. Having this in mind can change one’s life.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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