Why was the world created?

Today I saw a poster drawn by pre-kindergarten children.

It was a poster of the 12 verses that the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged children to learn and say.

The children drew 12 pictures, each representing the theme of a verse.

Two of the pictures caught my eye. One was a drawing of the world, based on the first verse of the Torah: “In the beginning G-d created heaven and earth.”

The second was a drawing of the Beit Hamikdash, the Temple in Jerusalem. And it was based on words from Tanya (a book of Chassidus by the first Lubavitcher Rebbe): “And this is the entirety of a human being, and the purpose for one’s creation, and for the creation of all the worlds above and below — so that G-d should have a dwelling place down below (among us).”

The first verse spoke about how we got here. The Almighty created everything, including us.

The second quote explains why we are here. To bring about a dwelling place for the Almighty, down here on earth, among us.

A place where G-d and people can be comfortable. Where He dwells with us. And we with Him.

This will be fully realized in the third and eternal Temple, where G-d’s presence will shine and light up the entire world. When the final Redemption with Moshiach will bring us close to our Creator.

I looked at the poster. The children’s drawings made me think about life, and what we can accomplish.

And I decided to share it with you.