Mishnah 14 - Chapter 3 - Pirkei Avot

Hu hayah omer. Chaviv adam shennivra betzelem. Chibbah yeterah noda'at lo shennivra betzelem, shenne'emar (vrsht t), ki betzelem elohim asah et ha'adam. Chavivin yisra'el shennikre'u banim lammakom. Chibbah yeterah noda'at lahem shennikre'u banim lammakom, shenne'emar (dvrm d), banim otam laHachem eloheichem. Chavivin yisra'el, shennittan lahem keli chemdah. Chibbah yeterah noda'at lahem shennittan lahem keli chemdah shebbo nivra ha'olam, shenne'emar (mshl d), ki lekach tov natatti lachem, torati el ta'azovu.

He used to say:Beloved is man for he was created in the image [of God]. Especially beloved is he for it was made known to him that he had been created in the image [of God], as it is said: “for in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:6). Beloved are Israel in that they were called children to the All-Present. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that they are called children of the All-Present, as it is said: “your are children to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1). Beloved are Israel in that a precious vessel was given to them. Especially beloved are they for it was made known to them that the desirable instrument, with which the world had been created, was given to them, as it is said: “for I give you good instruction; forsake not my teaching” (Proverbs 4:2).

He was wont to say: "Beloved is man, who was created in the image (of G-d)." Additional love was made known to him, that he was created in the image, as it is written (Genesis 9:6): "In the image of G-d, He made man." [Rambam explains: Additional love was shown by the Holy One Blessed be He to Adam in that He apprised him: "See, I have created you in the image." For one who grants good to his friend and apprises him of the good that he has bestowed upon him demonstrates thereby greater love than if he would grant him good and not find him worthy enough to apprise him of the good that he had granted him. "Additional love, etc." may also be understood as "revealed" and "manifest" love. G-d did not love man covertly but overtly, in the eyes of all.] Beloved are Israel who are called "sons of the L rd." Additional love was made known to them in that they were called "sons of the L rd," as it is written (Deuteronomy 14:11): "You are sons of the L rd your G-d." Beloved are Israel, who were given a precious vessel (the Torah). Additional love was made known to them, that they were given a precious vessel by which the world was created, as it is written (Proverbs 4:2): "For I have given you a goodly acquisition; do not forsake my Torah." [The entire creation, of which it is written "And G-d saw that it was good," was created only for the Torah, which is called an "acquisition," viz. (Deuteronomy 32:2): "Let My acquisition ("likchi") drip as the rain."]