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Topic: Genesis, Command for Light

Mike Fulstone wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

I have long felt that when G-d commanded light into existence that it was a direct command to light as in "Light, be!" rather than saying "Let there be light." In other words as in the sentence "John, stop!"

Saying "Let there be light" or "Let light be" doesn't seem to ring true to me. I am not very familiar with the Hebrew language so please let me know if I am all wet here.


Dear Mike Fulstone,

Since light did not exist yet, G-d could not address it and tell it to be. He did, however, say "Let light be." By saying that, G-d was addressing the space/time reality that He had already created, telling it to bring forth light. A more correct translation of the original Hebrew is "There shall be light."


 
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