Rabbi Benjamin YudinBirth-Day Presence

Both the Sefer Haikarim (by Rav Yosef Albo) and the Akeidas Yitzchak (by Rav Yitzchak Arma) point out that the Torah does not say "ki-tov", "it was good", in reference to the creation of man. The term "ki-tov" is used when something existing has been completed and perfected. Rashi in his commentary on the second day of creation teaches that, "ki-tov" was omitted on that day, because the work of the water was not completed until the third day and a thing that is not completed is not at its perfection and at its best.

Adam is so called because he comes from the " adama" - the earth. In addition, teaches the Shalah, his very name is a charge: adameh L'Elyon - I will be as my Creator on high. As He is a creator so is man to be; man is to create himself. The Torah does not say "ki-tov" in reference to man for his mission and purpose in this world is to create a man of whom someday it will hopefully be said he was tov.

Ki-tov is written on the sixth day in reference to the animals. The Talmud (Bava Kama 65b) states, " an ox is called an ox even on the day that it is born, and a ram is called a ram on the day that it is born." The greatness of man is that when Hashem says "na-aseh adam" (1:24) - "let us make man", it means that with the natural resources and potential that Hashem has afforded and extended to each man, may he, together with Hashem, complete himself.

Just like a child leaves the home of a parent escorted by a potential shaped by their character traits, God in His infinite wisdom clothes us with individual presence simply by virtue of our birth day. The Talmud ( Shabbos 156a) teaches that it was written in Rav Yehoshua Ben Levi's ledger that one born on Sunday will be a leader, as Sunday leads off the rest of the week. Rashi notes that both righteous and wicked people are born that day. The Talmud is teaching that one born on a Sunday may posses a natural proclivity towards leadership, yet the choice of channeling that leadership for good or bad is up to the individual.

He who is born on a Monday will be an angry man. In the second day of creation the waters were divided. Similarly, Rashi notes, there will often be division between him and others. Anger does not have to connote something inherently negative, rather someone troubled with the status-quo. Many people might see wrong and evil about but not be moved to indignation and protest.

One who is born on a Tuesday will be wealthy. On the third day of creation herbage and vegetation were created. Rashi notes that as herbage sprouts and grows very quickly so will this individuals endeavors.

He who is born on Wednesday will be a wise and radiant man. On the fourth day of creation the luminaries were set in place. There are so many areas of knowledge that God gives man the potential to address; he has the choice to channel his life to Torah or to other endeavors.

One born on a Thursday will have a predisposition towards performing deeds of kindness. The reason for this is that the fish and fowl were created on that day. Rashi explains that fish and fowl do not expend much effort in acquiring their food, rather they are supported by Hashem, who in His kindness makes their food easily available to them.

He who is born on a Friday will be an assiduous man. As the nature of Friday is to carefully prepare for Shabbos, this person will have a greater propensity for detail.

One who is born on a Shabbos will, if he merits it, die on a Shabbos. Moreover, he shall be called a great and holy man.

The Sefer HaChinuch writes in conjunction with the mitzvah of bris milah that Hashem did not create man perfect from the womb, and circumcision is to impress upon man that just as his physical completion is in the hands of man, so too is he entrusted and charged to perfect his character and elevate his divine gifts towards the service of Hashem and man.