“…..This day is the start of your handiwork, a remembrance if the first day…..” (Musaf prayer of Rosh Hashana)

״…זה היום תחילת מעשיך זכרון ליום ראשון….״

The first day of creation was not on Rosh Hashana, but five days earlier, on the 25th of Elul (see Vayikra Rabba 29). Only the 6th day of creation, the day that the first human, Adam, was created, is festively commemorated as Rosh Hashana, while the 25th of Elul is a regular weekday.

This tells us that the creation of the world on its own is not a cause for celebration. On the contrary, the world’s creation only contributed to the concealment of G-d’s Infinite Presence. It allowed for the existence of beings that can mistakenly think that their existence is not controlled or caused by G-d. Such an achievement doesn’t call for a Yom Tov.

For that very reason, however, Rosh Hashana commemorates the creation of man, who was given the ability to illuminate the world’s spiritual darkness following the guidance given by the Torah. Moreover, through man’s work in revealing G-dliness in this world, he brings completion to the entire process of creation.

This milestone is most definitely worth celebrating.

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—Likutei Sichos vol. 29. Pp. 482-483