In connection with the creation of man, why does the Torah use the plural (“Let US make a man in Our image”)?
The plural indicates that G-d was showing courtesy to the angels in consulting them about the creation of man, because man (as a rational being) would be a potential competitor to the angels. In “consulting” the angels, G-d was teaching us good manners — that it’s polite to consult with your subordinates even if you’re greatly superior to them. The phrase “in OUR image” also suggests the resemblance of man to the angels. There is no implication that anyone else had a part in the actual creation of man; to make this clear, the next verse, which describes the actual creation, is in the singular. The Torah uses similar plurals in other places – e.g., in Gen. 3:22, “The man has become like one of US”, meaning that Adam now shared with the angels the ability to distinguish good from evil; in the story of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:7), “Let US go down and confuse their speech”; see also Isaiah 6:8 (“Whom shall I send, and who will go for US”). It’s also possible that the plural is an allusion to the fact that G-d has many attributes, such as wisdom, which participated in the creation; see Prov.8:22-30. Another explanation of the plural is that it suggests the dual nature of man, as a combination of body and spirit; the earth brought forth the body (as it brought forth the plants and animals), and G-d added the soul (Gen. 2:7).