Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (G. 1:26)
How can we explain why G-d, who in all but a handful of other verses in the Torah, is described as a plurality in this case?
Here’s a thought: Each person who is created gets his soul, the divine spark, from G-d Himself. But if you are part of G-d Himself, then why would you want to be separated, sent down to be stuck in an animal’s body for decades? Isn’t that a demotion?
In this sense G-d is a plurality – because He is both in heaven, and in every single human soul. So when G-d is proposing that they make mankind, He is ensuring that all of the sparks that will descend, the future human souls, are part of the decision.
There is a classic parallel answer: that the plural is used because G-d consults with the angels. But that is surely the same answer in the end, right? An angel is also an agent or piece of the divine (just as Jacob’s dream of angels makes him conclude that G-d can be understood as a plurality – G. 35:7). An angel in heaven is a divine spark which is unmoored to the physical plane. While a person can contain that very same divine energy, but ensouled into an animal’s body.
None of the other creations involve the investment of parts of G-d Himself – which explains why G-d consults with the plurality for the creation of man but not for any other creation. In this sense, G-d is best described as a Unity – in the same way that the name Elokim is in the plural, representing the sum of all natural forces.
We could also suggest that G-d’s desire is to converse, to relate, to connect. If man is not there, then G-d talks to Himself. But once mankind exists as fully interactive respondents, then G-d is no longer alone, and He prefers to speak with us!
After this, G-d’s conversations in the text (with only two exceptions, both relating to man’s capability to connect with G-d) are all only with mankind and not with Himself!
Why? Perhaps because G-d is not actually that interested in talking to Himself, or the angels. The Torah makes it abundantly clear that G-d truly wants to connect to mankind!
Man is created in order to give G-d someone to talk to and interact with, someone who is similar enough to have a connection, and different enough to make things interesting. And the people G-d talks to the most are the people who interact fully – who not only pray to G-d, but also plead with Him and even argue with Him, seeking to change G-d’s mind!
It is no accident that Abraham and Jacob and Moshe contend with G-d as well as with man: G-d wants the full relationship!