Question
What things existed before the world was created?
Answer
The Talmud (Pesachim 54a; Nedarim 39b) says that seven things were created before the world was created: The Torah; repentance; paradise; hell; G-d’s throne; the Temple; and the name of the Messiah. Mercy and Justice aren’t mentioned, but since they are Divine attributes, they too must have existed before the world was created, and the same must be true for many other basic concepts. As the Talmud says in Chagigah 12a, the world was created with the aid of ten things: Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, strength, rebuke, might, justice, law, graciousness and mercy.