From the Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat October 16, 2020/28 Tishrei 5781
Torah: Bereishit (Genesis 1-6:8) Haftarah: (Isaish 42:5-43:10)
Since last week we had Simchat Torah, when we read the final words of
the Torah and start the Torah in a single breath. The Torah is never ending,
however it is the life of our people. Bereishit tells the origin of the
universe and the human race. “In the beginning…”,the creation of the world
starting with the First Day:Light. Why light you may be asking? There was
only darkness so G-d had to create light. Second Day: Firmament is the
creation of the world/universe. If you are a science person, the Torah does
not sit easy with you. However, one day, one year is millions, billions,
trillions or more to G-d, and not for mortals. Let us continue…Third
Day:He created the Sea, Land, and Vegetation. The Fourth Day: He created the
Heavenly Bodies,and the Fifth Day: G-d created Fish and Birds. The Sixth
Day: G-d created Land Animals and Human Beings.
Now on all the days He stated that they were GOOD, yet when Human
Beings were created … NOTHING was stated…hmmm Everything created has no
concept of time, but human beings have the concept of time. It is for us to
choose to do good or choose to do bad. We have freedom of choice. We have
sin and punishment. Adam and Eve eat of the forbidden fruit and are expelled
from the Garden of Eden. The Cain and Abel story tells us that G-d really
accepts Abel’s superior offering. Cain becomes jealous and kills his
brother Abel. Cain learns his punishment, which is to wander the earth. This
was humankind’s first jealous behaviour and murder. Did they know of death?
Did they know about the world near and far from their existence? Long drash
that has many questions and answers of…”I don’t know where my brother is,
what am I his keeper?” (phasing)G-d responds that his blood cries out!
(phrasing). The blood is the generations that will never be.
The last Seventh Day: Shabbat: Day of Rest…G-d does not need to rest.
HE Created the Sabbath for us mortals. We need to take time to rest and
reflect on the week that passed. Could we do more to take care of the world
we were given? Could we try to help others? Or just rest and thank G-d for
everything that He has given to us. We do this by praying, praising Him even
though He does not need this, but it is how we can tell Him we know He is
the Creator of EVERYTHING! Creation is a continuous process, in which humans
are partners with G-d. So, one strives to become a better person by
acquiring those personal qualities which are considered “Godly.”
Rabbi Hummuna said: “The person who prays on the eve of Shabbat( and
recites ‘the heaven and earth were finished’), the Torah treats that person
as though he or she had become a partner with the Blessed Holy One in the
Creation”
(Talmud Shabbat 119b).
Look forward to seeing everyone on Zoom. Be well, masks wearing through
October 29,
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Helene
