TORAH : GENESIS 1:1-6:8 | PROPHETS : ISAIAH 42:5-43:10
Overview
Genesis 1:1-6:8 In the beginning, G-d creates the entire universe, including time itself, out of nothingness.
This process of creation continues for six days. On the seventh day, G-d rests, bringing into existence the spiritual universe of Shabbat, which returns to us every seven days.
Adam and Chava — the first couple—are placed in the Garden of Eden. Chava is enticed by the serpent to eat from the forbidden fruit of the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil,” and in turn gives the fruit to Adam. By eating the forbidden fruit Adam and Chava render themselves incapable of remaining in the Garden of Eden and are banished.
Death and hard work (both physical and spiritual) now enter the world, together with pain in childbirth. Now begins the struggle to correct the transgression of Adam and Chava, which will be the main subject of world history.
Cain and Hevel, the first two children of Adam and Chava, bring sacred offerings to G-d.
Hevel gives the finest of his labor, and his offering is accepted, but Cain gives inferior produce and his offering is rejected. In the ensuing quarrel, Cain kills Hevel and is condemned..
The Torah traces the genealogy of the other children of Adam and Chava, and the descendants of Cain until the birth of Noach.
After the death of Sheit, Mankind descends into evil, and G-d decides that He will allow the destruction Man to self-destruct in a flood which will deluge the world. However, one man, Noach, finds favor with G-d.
Role of the Light in Creation
The concept of light plays a very important role in the creation. Light is mentioned five times in the opening verses of the Torah. Then G-d said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And G-d saw that the light was good; and G-d separated the light from the darkness. And G-d called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. (Gen. 1:3-5).
This light is interpreted in various manner. for the Jewish tradition, this points to the five books of Moses.
GENESIS - “G-d said, let there be light,” refers to the book of Genesis, which enlightens us as to how creation was carried out.
EXODUS - The words, “And there was light,” bear reference to the book of Exodus, which contains the history of the transition of Israel from darkness to light.
LEVITICUS - “And G-d saw the light that it was good”: this alludes to the book of Leviticus, which contains numerous statutes.
NUMBERS - ‘And G-d divided between the light and between the darkness’: this refers to the book of Numbers, divided as that book is between the history of those who came out of Egypt and that of those who were on their way to possess the promised land.
DEUTERONOMY - ‘And G-d called the light day’: this bears reference to the book of Deuteronomy, which is not only a rehearsal of the four earlier books, but contains Moses’ eloquent charge to Israel and many laws not mentioned in the preceding books. (Genesis Rabba 3)
Love and Criticism
The Torah states that before the great flood: “The Almighty saw that man did much evil in the land and all the thoughts of his heart were evil the entire day,” (Gen. 6:5).
The Sforno explains that “man did much evil” refers to the past, and “the thoughts of his heart were evil” refers to the future. They would not listen to anyone who would try to correct them and therefore there was no hope that they would do teshuvah, repent.
Regardless of how many faults a person has, if he accepts criticism there is hope that he will improve. The ultimate level is to love criticism. Loving criticism is the 35th prerequisite for acquiring wisdom as listed in Pirkei Avot, (Ethics of Our Fathers) 6:6.
Hillel taught
“Do not make a statement that cannot be easily understood on the ground that it will be understood eventually.” People are sometimes frustrated that their views and opinions are not accepted by the community, but one must realize that the fault may lie in his views and not in the community. Perhaps his opinions are not fit to be heard and accepted.”