GEN115 A central concept of Judaism’s understanding of ourselves and others is that each of us was created in the image and likeness of God [this verse and Genesis 5:1].  We are not an accidental happenstance produced by blind forces of nature; we are rather the conscious and purposeful creation of God.  Moreover, we share some of God’s characteristics. Like God, but, of course, not to the same degree, we are capable of sustained thought, creativity, and awareness of ourselves, our world, and God; the light of God is imminent in our spirit. Proverbs 20:27 We share in God’s dominion over the earth, Genesis 1:26, 28, and we have the divine attribute of free will, Genesis 3:5 and Deuteronomy 30:19 for we can recognize the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.  We are privileged to commune with God and, in rabbinic terms, even to be God’s partner in ongoing acts of creation.  B. Shabbat 10a, 119b DORFFLOV 75-6