Hashem, G-d, created man from the dust of the ground (Bereshis 2:7)

In this week’s parsha, Adam gives himself a name. Adam comes from the word “adamah” which means ground. Adam chose this name for himself because he came from the ground. But why didn’t Adam call himself Afar, which means dust. He was actually created from dust!

The reason is because dust and dirt are two different things. Nothing can grow from dust. Dirt, though, is the place where many things can grow. Dirt is full of nutrients that allow plants to grow, which keeps everything else alive. This is why Adam chose his name for himself: it is to teach that he is to grow. Dust can move around but nothing comes from it. Dirt makes the world a place where we can live.

This Shabbos is the first “normal” Shabbos of the year. The Festivals are over. We start to get into our daily routines again. Maybe the reason this parsha was chosen to be read immediately after the Festival season is to remind us that we must continue to grow. All of us became better Jews between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. All of us grew in our spirituality and trust in Hashem by living in our Succah for seven or eight days. All of us increased our love for the Torah on Simchas Torah. Now life gets back to normal though. We must remember that we must continue to grow and improve. Remember that we come from dirt. Giant trees that are hundreds of feet tall can grow from us.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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