Why One Human Life Matters More Than the Entire Universe: The Divine Meaning of Thought and Consciousness

Many people wonder about humanity’s place in such a vast cosmos. When we look up at the endless expanse of galaxies and stars, it’s easy to feel small and insignificant. And yet, a person doesn’t need to be large to be important. What matters is the ability to think, to choose, and to create meaning.

The Power of Thought: Why the Human Mind Reflects the Divine

God, the Infinite Creator, possesses boundless wisdom and intellect. Philosophers throughout history have called Him the Supreme Mind — the source of all intelligence that illuminates creation.

In this sense, human beings are closer to their Creator than any star or galaxy, not because of physical size, but because of consciousness. The human ability to think, to intend, to imagine, and to speak is a divine gift.

As the Torah teaches: “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the earth, and He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” (Bereishit 2:7)

The ancient Aramaic translation of Onkelos interprets “a living soul” as “a speaking spirit.” Humanity alone was granted the power of thought and speech. Rashi explains: “Animals too are called ‘living creatures,’ but man’s soul is the most alive of all — for he was given understanding and the power of speech.”

Even the highest angels do not possess true free thought or self-awareness. Only humans can create new ideas, develop their character, and consciously shape their moral nature — as if participating in their own creation.

Divine Providence and the Human Mind

The sun shines everywhere, but its light enters only through open windows. The medieval sage Maimonides (Rambam) uses this image to describe divine providence. God’s care extends over all creation, yet His personal guidance enters the hearts of those who open their minds to recognize Him.

A galaxy or a star has no consciousness, cannot speak, think, or pray, and therefore needs no personal providence. That is why the Torah was given not to angels or celestial bodies — but to human beings, whose souls can connect with their Creator.

The Torah is the revelation of divine attention in the world, and the evidence of God’s personal relationship with His most thoughtful creation.

Hence, even a single human being is more precious than the entire universe. As the Mishnah teaches: “Therefore, every person must say: For my sake the world was created.” (Sanhedrin 4:5)

The Universe’s Size Doesn’t Define Human Worth

Many people fall into black-and-white thinking. They assume that if man isn’t at the physical center of the universe, or if he doesn’t control all the galaxies, then he must be insignificant. However, the value of a soul isn’t measured by size or location.

Looking at images of the cosmos, we might imagine God as a distant being, watching us like specks of dust in a cosmic desert.  However, God is not a giant body floating in space, peering through a cosmic telescope. He is infinite, without form or boundaries, equally present in the smallest atom and the largest galaxy.

He doesn’t “look from afar”, but He knows from within. As Scripture says: “Do not look at his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. For man sees with the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.” (Samuel I, 16:7)

God knows our deepest thoughts and inner struggles because He dwells within us, not outside of us. He doesn’t observe us like an astronomer watching stars or a biologist examining microbes. He knows our inner world — our hearts and minds, perfectly.

Humanity: The Thinking Soul of the Universe

The human being is the only creature capable of conscious thought, moral choice, and spiritual connection. Through the free will given to him by his Creator, man can rise above nature and enter into a relationship with the Divine.

In God’s eyes, one human soul is worth more than all the galaxies combined.