Torah: Bereshit (Genesis 1-6:8) Haftarah (Isaiah 42:5-43:10)
The Torah is never ending. The Torah is our Jewish people’s journey.
Simchat Torah is the holiday in which one reads the final parsha of Deuteronomy and the first parsha of Bereshit in one breath to emphasize the importance of Judaism’s continuity through the generous. This drash will enlighten everyone to our rich heritage.
Torah starts “In the beginning” with the origin of the universe and the human race with the Creation of the world. The Jewish people NEVER change the words of the Torah; Never amend the text. Jews are involved in studying the Text with the Traditional Commentaries like Rashi as well as critical analysis, drawing out the meaning by applying other wisdoms, studying comparable texts and comprehending the ancient civilization which produced our Law, while making Judaism relevant to the generation of that or this age.
Bereshit/ Genesis
First Day: Light Why Light? Obviously it was Dark! G-d’s first creation was to bring LIGHT into our universe and world. That’s why Jews start their Sabbath and holidays at night.
Second Day: Firmament The visible sky and heavens.
Third Day: Sea, Land, and vegetation Keep in your thoughts water was created from the “{In The Beginning}”.
Fourth Day: Heavenly Bodies.
Fifth Day: Fish and Birds.
Sixth Day: Land animals and human beings.
Seventh Day: Shabbat: Day of Rest … Why did G-d create the Sabbath Day since he neither slumbers or sleeps? G-d created REST for Human beings and animals. Yes, animals of ranches and farms of Jews are given a day off from their labors. Cows, goats and other animals need to be milked and fed. Jews hire a non Jew to do these labors/ work and are paid after the Sabbath.
“Freedom of Choice” …Judaism holds every person has been endowed with the freedom to choose between right and wrong. At the same time, Judaism teaches that G-d has advance knowledge of the choice each individual will make.
The very first word in the Torah is Bereshit. Each Hebrew letter stands for a special word and meaning.
Bet/ Bitachon-faith to believe in G-d, even in difficult times.
Resh/ Razon-will. People often find excuses for themselves, blaming things on others. Each person has a will, and willpower, we can change our own lives for the better.
Aleph/Ahavah-love. When we do not love, we think only of our own needs and never of another’s. To be able to love another person is a requisite of a life fulfillment. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is one of the most important verse in the entire Torah. All the rest is commentary.
Shin/Shetikah-silence. There is a time to speak, a time to be quiet. We must learn silence. If so, we will be much better listeners.
Yud/Yirah- reverence. Judaism teaches that everything a person does in life should reflect reverence for G-d. One should use words for healing and take actions for sustaining; even eating a meal that includes blessings can become an encounter with the Divine.
Tav/Torah-each of us has been given a blueprint of life through Torah. It teaches us how to live with each other and with G-d. It teaches us justly and love mercy, to live a life of goodness
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
Michael and I will be traveling to be with our family to celebrate the wedding of our grandson, Daniel to Collette. How appropriate that the Torah portion is Bereshit as they begin their new life together.
