…present from the beginning. God, Creator of the universe, made a world that is fundamentally good: the word that echoes seven times in the first chapter of Bereishit. It is humans, granted freewill as God’s image and likeness, who introduce evil into the world, and then suffer its consequences. Hence Moshe’s insistence that when trouble and tragedy appear, we should…
…we are a part. It is not enough to be good. We must encourage others to be good. There are times when each of us must lead. [1] See Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 9:14. Also see Ramban, Commentary to Bereishit 34:13, s.v. Ve-rabbim. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR NOACH Do you see Noah as “perfect” because he managed to maintain this…
…left.” Gen. 13:8-9 Note that Abraham passes no judgment. He does not ask whose fault the argument was. He does not ask who will gain from any particular outcome. He gives Lot the choice. He sees the problem and acts. In the next chapter of Bereishit we are told about a local war, as a result of which Lot is…
…not, understanding that it is better to seek the respect of some than the popularity of all. This may involve a lifetime of struggle, but the outcome is an immense strength. No one is stronger than one who knows who and what they are. [1] Bereishit Rabbah, 77; Rashi to Genesis 32:35; Zohar I, Vayishlach, 170a. [2] Rene Girard, Violence and…
…you say, a religious book, you then turn into a fascinating drasha [sermon, Torah talk]. And I wonder if, especially since we’re going to read Parshat Bereishit very soon, in a few weeks, you could explain that distinction and show how you read that parsha or-? Rabbi Sacks: Yeah. Abe Socher: Or that bit? Rabbi Sacks: Yeah. First of all,…
…think very hard about the fundamentals. We often forget that Judaism has a theology. Theology isn’t written much about in our sources but it is set out very clearly. It is set out very clearly in the first chapters of the book of Genesis, Bereishit, in one of the most remarkable statements in all of Judaism: The Torah was given…
…same thing. We know we’re argumentative. We know that the 11th chapter of Bereishit describes a world in which, vayehi kol ha’artz safar achat u’devarim achadim, the builders of the Tower of Babel spoke one language and all had the same idea. And God came and confused their language. We have never sought to impose unity on the world. We…
…here, two vital words, occur in the second chapter of Bereishit, where it says that God planted the first human being in the garden, l’ovdah u’leshomrah, to serve and conserve it (Gen. 2:15). In other words, God says to us, “Here is the universe. I have made you the single most powerful force in the universe, but you are My…
…of human history, that only those nations who respect Israel’s freedom will themselves ever be free. Among the first recorded syllables of Jewish time, God said to Avraham Avinu – and surely those words resonate today – “va’avar’cha mevarchecha”, those who bless you, I will bless, “u’mekalel’cha a’or”, and those who curse you will be cursed (Bereishit 12:3). Never have…
…Bereishit 12:1-3 Core Questions Who was chosen here? What were they chosen for? Why were they chosen? Covenatal Chosenness: Shemot 19:1-6 Devarim 26:16-19 Devarim 4:5-8 Core Questions What does the term “Am Segulah” mean? What does this have to do with Torah, mitzvot, and the Covenant with God? Do you think the chosenness of the Jewish people because an intrinsic…