To answer this question perhaps we can suggest the following. There is a distinction between the totality of the world in general and the world as it interacts with Man.

The world HaShem made is a perfect world and is in perfect balance. We must therefore not tamper with it. However, wherever Man interfaces and interacts with the world, there HaShem made the world imperfect. In other words; for all the creatures of this world with exception of Man, the world is complete missing nothing at all. However, with respect to Man, the world is not perfect. For Man to live in this world he must make changes to the world. He must cut down trees to build a home, clear space on which to plant. Harvest, thresh and other changes in order to eat. Shear the wool, spin the threads, weave material and sew the fabric to dress himself. Cook the meat, fry the eggs and bake the bread before eating.

For what purpose was the world not perfect for Man like his fellow creatures?

Everything in this world is purely physical. There is no spiritual component in any creature on Earth. The only exception is Man. He has two components; one physical and one spiritual. The
purpose for this was so that Man can be the transformer who will transform the physical into spiritual. How does he do this?

Let us use the model of the sculpture who takes a large block of marble and chips and cuts until he creates an beautiful stone elephant. The stone was perfect before the sculpture touched it.
It was smooth, it was strong, it was the perfect temperature; but it had no meaning. It was a meaningless block of stone. Through the sculptor’s alterations the stone was changed from its perfect form but now it has meaning.

Before Man entered the world, it is perfect and could continue in its natural state with no interference. However, it was meaningless. It served no purpose. HaShem therefore created Man with a spiritual side which drives Man to achieve greater heights.

In his pursuit of those elevated heights Man takes his lower half with him. Man cannot achieve those heights without eating breakfast and wearing proper clothing and living in a house. Therefore when Man endeavors to attain these material mediums he brings sanctity to the material world around him. He gives purpose and meaning to all the changes he makes in the world, thereby elevating the entire world with him. But this mechanism can only work if the purpose of his physical pursuits is to elevate himself. If, however, his pursuit of material is to attain more material, then the changes he makes on this world are actually destructive as the Ramban indicates.

Bris Milah teaches us this lesson in stark terms. From his earliest moments in this world, every Jewish boy is given an imprint on his flesh that this world is only perfect for material concerns. But for anything higher, one must make necessary alterations.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Paysach Diskind