Jewish Values: B’Tzelem Elohim "in the image of God"

by Rabbi Min Kantrowitz

Each edition of NMJJ highlights one of the many Jewish values that guide our lives.  Each of these values underlies our Jewish community, regardless of any individuals’ religious observances or practices.  These values form the ethical structure of the community.  They are not presented in order of importance…all of them, together, weave a fabric of support, inspiration and hope for increased compassion and justice in our shared world.

B’Tzelem Elohim “in the image of God”.  

During the very first week of creation, the Bible states “God created humanity in God’s own image” (Genesis 1:26). Since physical images of the Holy Blessed One are prohibited in Jewish law, it clearly does not mean that we should create physical representations of what we might imagine God to “look like.” 

There have been periods of Jewish history when speculation about the physical ‘image’ of God were topics of considerable speculation.  In  “Shiur Koma—The Measurement of Height,” an ancient Jewish mystical text, the author speculates, in anthropomorphic terms, the secret names and precise measurements of God's corporeal limbs and parts. According to “My Jewish Learning”, the picture of God as presented in the Shiur Komah is a combination of three lists: a list of the limbs of the divine figure-head, crown, beard, eyes, hands, legs, neck, etc.; a list of the measurements of these limbs, given in the Persian unit used in talmudic texts‑‑parasangs; and a list of the holy, esoteric names of each limb. Maimonides believed that the text was so heretical and contrary to proper Jewish belief that it should be burned.

So, what might the value of ‘be’tzelem’ Elohim mean? In essence, it calls upon us to examine the underlying principles which form the basis for the acts of Creation, the spiritual ‘image’ of the Divine. 

Seen this way, each of us has, within us, some fragment of the original Creation.  In Kabbalah, it’s often referred to as a “Nitzotz Elohut” .. a ’spark of the Divine’.  That spark is unique to each individual who has ever lived, and yet is connected to the Source of All Creation.

It is like spiritual individuality, connected to our Divine origin, and yet unique. What does that mean on a practical level?

In everyday life, we encounter many challenges, situations over which we have little control, organizations which seem to have goals vastly different from our own, and individuals who may be demanding, difficult, obnoxious or provocative. Rather than responding with anger, frustration or exasperation, perhaps if we remember that they, too, are created in the image of the Endless Source of Love, we may be able to take a moment to recognize the miracles that are our own lives, the amazing fact that we are breathing, thinking and aware. Those annoying people, irritating circumstances and vexing situations are products, or reflections of some of the multitude of ‘images’ of the Creator. The vast and complex puzzle called humanity is infused with Divine Energy.  Even those difficult interactions and unpleasant people have a distinctive spark of truth and authenticity planted within them.  When we seek it, we may get a small peek at that spark, even when it is well hidden.  When we remember that they too are created ‘b’tzelem Elohim’ that perspective can help us through life’s idiosyncratic episodes.

Rabbi Min Kantrowitz has served as a rabbi and chaplain in Albuquerque for many years, and has devoted much of her time and herself to this community, which we can say is better for it.

Jewish Values: Love your neighbor as yourself is the first posted in this series.

Rabbi Min was recently recognized with an award for her article "Tahara: An Encounter" that appeared this last year in the New Mexico Jewish Journal, in the 2025 NM Press Women Communications Contest.

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