"When God created man, God said (Genesis 1:26), 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'
Traditionally, it is understood that God was speaking to the angels.
If so, the plan was not very successful; we are not like angels.
According to another interpretation, God was speaking to the whole of creation, to all of nature.
In that case, 'Let us make man in our image' means, 'Let each of you contribute something.'
The fox and the dove, the tiger and the sheep, the spider and the bee each contributed a small part—as did the angels and the devils.
We humans contain all the parts.Some of us are foxier than others, or more sheepish than others, but altogether, we contain all the traits found in nature.
In that way, we are the sum total of nature, containing the macrocosm in our own microcosm.
Somehow, we have to learn from all our partners, and perhaps pray that the extra part—that "Divine spark" contributed by God—will help us make the right choices."
--Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
From Simple Words by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
