What “Let There Be Light” Really Teaches Us

In Pirkei Avot there is a short Mishnah that many people read quickly, yet it contains one of the most important foundations of Jewish faith and service of Hashem. When we read it together with the Gemara that explains it, a much deeper message is revealed.

The Mishnah in Avot 5:1 states:
“The world was created with ten utterances.”

This teaches that Hashem did not create the world through force or physical tools, but through speech. During the six days of creation, the Torah repeatedly says “And Hashem said,” and through those words, reality came into existence.

Where Is the Tenth Utterance?

When we look closely at the verses in Bereishit, something surprising appears. The very first act of creation is described as:
“In the beginning, Hashem created the heavens and the earth.”

However, the words “And Hashem said” do not appear there. Only afterward does the Torah use that phrase, and only nine times. This raises a question: where is the tenth utterance?

The Gemara asks this question directly (Rosh Hashanah 32b) and answers:
“Bereshit is also an utterance, as it is written, ‘By the word of Hashem the heavens were made.’”

This means that the creation of the heavens and the earth was also done through Hashem’s speech, even though it is not written explicitly.

Creation From Nothing

This first act of creation teaches one of the most basic principles of Jewish faith. Hashem created everything from absolute nothing. Before “In the beginning,” nothing existed. There was no matter, no energy, no particles of any kind.

All later utterances worked with what already existed, shaping and forming creation. But the first utterance brought existence itself into being.

If this utterance is so great, why is it hidden?

Why Light Comes First

The first utterance that the Torah states clearly is:
“And Hashem said, ‘Let there be light.’”

Although light was not the first thing created in time, it is presented as the first utterance because of its importance. Without light, creation cannot fulfill its purpose.

Light makes recognition possible.

The Purpose of Creation

King Solomon teaches in Kohelet (3:14):
“Hashem made it so that people should fear Him.”

This fear does not mean fear of punishment. It means awe that comes from recognizing Hashem.

Hashem created the heavens, the earth, the stars, the laws of nature, and all the details of the world so that people would look at creation and recognize its Creator. Through observing the wisdom, order, and kindness built into the world, a person comes to know Hashem.

This is not a task meant only for righteous people. It is the purpose of every human being.

Learning to Recognize Hashem Through the World

The Chovot HaLevavot explains that all of creation exists as testimony to Hashem’s oneness, power, wisdom, and goodness. Generation after generation is meant to see His works and respond with praise, gratitude, and awe.

For this to happen, light is essential. Light allows us to see order, beauty, and meaning. Without light, recognition is impossible.

This is why “Let there be light” is the first utterance stated openly in the Torah.

Why the Blessing Over Light Is So Long

This idea is reflected in our daily prayers. The longest blessing in the siddur is not the blessing after using the restroom, not the blessing after eating bread, and not even the blessing thanking Hashem for the Torah.

The longest blessing is Yotzer HaMe’orot, the blessing thanking Hashem for creating light.

This is because light enables the greatest good: recognizing Hashem in His world.

What We Learn From the Angels

A large part of this blessing describes angels and how they constantly praise Hashem. This is not just information about heaven. It is meant to teach us something.

The angels never stop praising Hashem because His greatness has no limit. From them, we learn how to respond to what we see in creation. We are meant to recognize Hashem through the world and praise Him according to our understanding.

The Gemara teaches (Berachot 33b) that the greatest treasure Hashem desires is fear of Heaven. This awe comes from recognition.

Why Light Is Called “Good”

Because recognizing Hashem is the highest purpose of creation, light is called “good.” It is the first “good” mentioned in the Torah.

“And Hashem saw that the light was good.”

Through light, the world fulfills its purpose, and through light, we fulfill ours.