Free Will (Bechirah) or Divine Play (Lila): Jewish and Hindu Creations Stories and their Meanings

...we ARE created in God's image...the Universe...our God...we are one...we are the Universe. There is no separation; only the illusion of being separate from.: The eternal question – “Why did G-d create a world?” – has radically different answers in the Hindu and Jewish creation stories.

For Jews, this world is very serious and our bechirah, or free will, is essential for its fulfillment.

For Hindus, the world is not altogether real and is G-d’s way of amusing Him/Herself.

All of this, and more, is embedded in dramatic creation stories.