A Midrashic Creation Myth

In the beginning, two thousand years before the heaven and the earth, seven things were created: the Torah written in black fire on white fire, and lying in the lap of God; the Divine Throne, erected in the heaven which was later over the heads of the Hayyot; Paradise on the right side of God, Hell on the left side; the Celestial Sanctuary directly in front of God, having a jewel on its altar graven with the name of the Messiah and a Voice that cries aloud, "return, ye children of men".

When God resolved upon the creation of the world, He took counsel with the Torah. Her advice was this: "O Lord, a king without an army and without courtiers and attendants hardly deserves the name of king, for none can express the homage due to him." The answer pleased God exceedingly. Thus did He teach all earthly kings by His example, to undertake nothing without consulting advisers.

The advice of the Torah was not given without reservations. She was skeptical about the value of an earthly world, on account of the sinfulness of humans, who would be sure to disregard her precepts. But God dispelled her doubts. He told her, that repentance had been created long before, and sinners would have the opportunity of mending their ways. Besides, the Temple service would be invested with atoning power, and paradise and hell were intended to do duty as reward and punishment. Finally the Messiah was appointed to bring salvation, which would put an end to sinfulness.