Why Did the Creator Make Us Weak and Needy? 5 Points to Ponder

Self-Renewing Product

Have you ever come across a product that, after being used intensively over time, automatically restores itself to its original condition, just like before its use, even after repeated usage?

Sounds illogical, right?... Meet the uterus!

The main role of the uterus is to carry the fetus in a safe and supportive environment throughout pregnancy. It is the organ that works the hardest during this time. The uterus is a hollow muscular organ shaped like a pear, measuring approximately 7.5 cm in length, 5 cm in width, and 2.5 cm in thick walls. During pregnancy, its length can increase to about 30 cm or more!

After birth, the uterus must contract back to its original size. It does so through repetitive contractions that help clear the intra-abdominal volume and halt post-birth bleeding. Any failure to properly contract poses a risk for post-delivery hemorrhage.

During these contractions, the muscle of the uterus "squeezes" out all the edema and fluids that allowed it to stretch more in response to the growing fetus's needs. The uterus is expected to return to its pre-pregnancy size (though it remains slightly larger after each birth) within six weeks after delivery—to a pear shape weighing about 70 grams, compared to a kilogram during birth.

In this process, the cervix—which is completely obliterated to allow an opening of 10 cm at the end of delivery—also rebuilds itself. The cervix plays a crucial role in closing the entry to the uterus and protecting against various infections, such as fungal or bacterial inflammations, that could invade the uterus.

Beyond the remarkable health benefit to women in the uterus's return to its original state, the question arises: how does the uterus "know" it has to contract and revert to its pre-pregnancy state? How does it "know" it must be ready for more pregnancies, hence return to its previous state for each upcoming pregnancy? Who designed these precise details so perfectly?

Why Did Hashem Make Us Weak and Needy?

Many ponder in confusion: "If the Creator of the world made such a perfect and wonderfully planned universe, why didn’t He create us in a way that we wouldn't need to eat, drink, or sleep? We would be much more 'perfect' without depending on these needs."

Why then did Hashem create man so lacking, so that he must toil for his livelihood throughout his life?

Firstly, the Creator wants to test humanity, whether they follow His ways or not. Therefore, man was created dependent on various needs such as food, drink, clothing, shelter, and a spouse, and was commanded to pursue them through permissible means, according to the holy Torah. By pursuing them in a lawful manner, one earns their reward in this world and the world to come. To elaborate:

Without the need for clothing, one couldn't fulfill the commandments of tzitzit, shaatnez, etc.; without needing a roof, one couldn't fulfill the commandments of mezuzah, railing, etc. If money wasn't required, many commandments involving charity to the poor, avoiding usury, and others couldn't be fulfilled; without the need for a spouse, one couldn't fulfill the commandments of marriage, procreation, and raising children.

Secondly, if one did not have to labor for sustenance, they would be idle all the time, and idleness can lead to sin. Imagine everyone waking up with no responsibilities, like animals who don’t need to worry about anything. The evil inclination would lead people to mischief, ultimately to sin. It's a known teaching in our sages’ wisdom that idleness leads to immorality. Moreover, abundance can lead to contempt for the Creator, as the Torah states in Deuteronomy 32:15: "But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked, you grew fat, thick, and covered, and he forsook Hashem who made him and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation."

Thirdly, the more "lacking" a person is, their trials are tougher. Overcoming these trials corresponds to increased reward. The greater the effort and anguish in fulfilling needs, overcoming them in the way of Hashem exponentially increases the reward, as stated: "According to the toil is the reward" (Avot 5:23).

In conclusion, everyone experiences some deficiencies in life. Naturally, we perceive deficiency as negative, questioning why Hashem creates these lacks in us instead of fulfilling our desires. Does He not love us, Heaven forbid? Rather, precisely out of His love for us, He allows us to feel lack, so we turn to Him in prayer, communicate with Him, draw closer to Him, and ultimately receive our due reward.

To Vaccinate or Not?

The Ministry of Health declares that vaccinations protect the health of babies and children by preventing serious diseases. Therefore, it calls on parents to vaccinate their children. Likewise, in winter, the public is urged to get the flu vaccine.

Vaccination means protection against contagious diseases. How does it work? Thanks to a sophisticated multi-armed system in our bodies, combating diseases and various contaminants is possible. A brief explanation:

When dealing with infectious diseases like the flu, measles, and the like, harmful bacteria attack the body. To fight them, the body produces "antibodies," which are counter-bacteria. These antibodies battle the harmful bacteria during the illness.

The vaccine aims to prevent the disease. How is it done? By causing the body to produce antibodies in advance. The vaccine consists of weakened or killed bacteria or viruses from the disease itself, so you don't actually become sick. The body encounters these bacteria and produces antibodies against them. It's very similar to contracting the illness, but generally, you don't feel sick.

(Photo: shutterstock)

After vaccination, the body has the disease antibodies, so you are already protected. Even if someone near you becomes ill with an infectious disease—you won't catch it because the antibodies already present in your body will fight the harmful bacteria before they can harm you.

Vaccines have led to dramatic improvements in public health: epidemics of horrible diseases like measles, smallpox, polio, and more, have not been seen for decades, thanks to vaccines. There was a time when children easily contracted these diseases at kindergartens and schools. Polio, for example, known as "child paralysis," caused paralysis (inability to move body parts) and was prevalent fifty years ago in Israel. Today, most children haven't even heard of it.

This is thanks to our amazing body mechanisms that grant immunological memory and an incredible defense system intended to prevent disease recurrence.

What's That Smell?

Last week, I walked through the Mahane Yehuda Market, and suddenly, a strong, unpleasant smell filled the air.

The smell was unbearable... After a few seconds, I felt the unpleasant smell was gone, but I didn’t understand: why do I still see reactions of discomfort from people around me because of the terrible air smell?

Then I realized... The smell hadn’t disappeared!

Notice the wonder: After a few seconds, our bodies adapt to any change in the environment. In my case, the smell hadn't vanished, but I simply got used to it, and only those just arriving were affected by it. They, too, would adapt...

(Photo: shutterstock)

The same happens, for example, when we are in a dark room, and someone suddenly turns on the lights. Initially, there's a strong dazzle to the eyes, but after a few moments, the vision adjusts, and our eyes stop blinking and open widely.

Our amazing bodies adapt to changes—cold, heat, light, sound, and more. Our bodies are ready and adaptable to any "sensory" change in the environment. They adjust automatically, allowing us to function.

Imagine if our bodies went into prolonged shock and turmoil every time a change occurred in the individual's external environment—would we be able to function properly? Could we lead meaningful lives?

Palestine

Arabs keep claiming we conquered their land, that the land is theirs and we stole it from them...

Firstly, Jerusalem, or the word "Palestine," isn't mentioned even once in their Quran! Not only is there no mention of the land being given to Muslims in the Quran, but Muhammad himself claimed in the Quran, in "Allah's" name, that the land of Israel belongs to the Jews...

Secondly, the whole concept of a "Palestinian people" is a recent invention. At no point in history was there a "Palestinian people" or "Palestinian nation" that ruled here and from whom the people of Israel took this land.

Until a century ago, there were no Palestinians in the land. There were a few Bedouins here and there, but that was it. The land was desolate. As evidence, you can find Arabs with family names indicating their true origin, such as "Al-Masri"—originating from Egypt...

If you think I’m wrong or biased, let me tell you that what I just said was declared by a leading Hamas figure himself! Interior Minister in the Hamas "government," Fathi Hammad, publicly revealed the true origins of Palestinians. He himself admits there's no such thing as a "Palestinian people," and that there was no "Palestinian nation" before us. Here's the essence of his statement:

"We all have Arab roots. Every Palestinian in Gaza and throughout Palestine can prove their Arab roots, whether from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, or elsewhere... We have blood relations... Half of Palestinians are Egyptians, and the other half are Saudis. Who are the Palestinians? We have many families called "Al-Masri" (Egyptian), whose roots are Egyptian... We are part of you!"

In summary, there is no "Palestinian nation" or "Palestinian people" from whom the people of Israel "conquered" the land.

This is our land, a land that the Creator of the world promised to our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants forever!