בּ"ה
Parshas Bereishis
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
‘In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth.’* (Bereishis 1:1)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
At the head -- foremost -- of everything, says Rebbe Moshe Leib of Sassov zt”l, a Jew must know that ‘G-d created the heavens and the earth’.
(Cited in Maayanah Shel Torah)
--------------------------------------
* See the translations of the Artscroll Chumashim, that of Judaica Press, and Peninim Al HaTorah.
<><><><><><><><><><>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
‘In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth.’ (Bereishis 1:1)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This verse -- בּראשית בּרא אלקים את השמים ואת הארץ -- contains seven words and twenty-eight letters. This is the exact same amount, in both words and letters, as the verse that introduces the Ten Commandments (Shemos 20:1), וידבּר אלקים את כּל הדברים האלה לאמר!
(Baal HaTurim zt”l)
<><><><><><><><><><>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
‘And G-d created man in His Image’ (Bereishis 1:27)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Says the Alter of Slabodka -- HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l: Adam HaRishon was formed by the “Hands” of G-d in His Image and endowed with great spiritual powers. After Adam sinned, the lofty attributes of man began to degenerate, and as generation after generation continued to sin, man continued to degrade himself spiritually and physically. Nevertheless, man is still born in the Image of G-d and with the ability to regain his former heights.
(Sparks of Mussar)
~ ~ * ~ ~
As we begin the Torah anew, this is such an important message for us to take to heart: That if we really try to, we can yet again reach the lofty spiritual levels walked by the Gedolim of old, and even of the Avos (forefathers)! Is it hard to do this? Well, improving isn’t always easy. . . But we can -- and must -- try, and put in a little extra effort. And you know what; if we really strive to serve Hashem better and to a higher level, He will surely help us. May He do so.
<><><><><><><><><><>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
‘And Hashem G-d commanded upon the man, saying: “From every tree of the Garden you may surely eat. And from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, you shall not eat from it. . .’ (Bereishis 2:16-17)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This narrative is well-known to so many. HaKadosh Baruch Hu created Adam and Chava, and they were living in Gan Eden. They were allowed to even eat from every single tree there, except for just one. And that one was the Eitz HaDaas Tov VaRaa (Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil). So many trees they were permitted to partake from -- but only one they were bidden not to. However, along came the Nachash (Serpent), and he tricked/talked Chava into eating from its fruit, and she also gave of it to Adam, and he, too, ate. From this sin, this direct disobeyal of Hashem’s Command, many curses and punishments came into the world, including death itself.
If we look a bit closely at this famous account, it may not seem all too unfamiliar: Hashem has put us into this world, and bestowed us with many, many gifts. So many nice and pleasant things we have been granted; the precious, Torah and Mitzvos, which are sweeter than honey (see Tehillim 19:11), and also many physical things are permitted to us, such as eating and drinking, sleeping, etc.* -- in the words of HaRav Avigdor Miller zt”l (Toras Avigdor), “It’s a pleasure to put your head down on the pillow and drift off into a sweet sleep. A pleasure!” And furthermore, many things that you wouldn’t even think of perhaps, such as taking a deep breath of lovely fresh air. Your next breath of fresh air -- that is an incredible gift, and delight, as well! But, He has commanded us to stay away from certain things. Directly commanded us, as the Torah is directed at every single one of us. For our benefit, too!
What happens? Our personal Nachash -- the Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) -- comes and tries to entice us to transgress Hashem’s Word. To go against our kind and benevolent Father.
The question that now lingers for all of us is, will we repeat the tragic mistake that was committed so long ago, which we have probably read about many times, or will we strengthen ourselves, with the aid of Hashem, and endeavor to overcome the “Nachash” within ourselves?
(Tal U’Matar)
--------------------------------------
* All to be used and done properly and for the correct reasons, of course.
<><><><><><><><><><>
|~Maaseh~| There is a story about the Baal HaTanya {the first Lubavitcher Rebbe -- Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi zt”l} during the time when he was imprisoned in Russia: One day, an influential Russian minister who was well-versed in Scriptures came into his cell and asked if he could present a question on the Torah that had been bothering him for a while. The Torah relates that after sinning by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (see Bereishis 2:16-17, 3:1-21), Adam and Chava hid out of shame, and Hashem called out to Adam and said to him: ‘Ayekka -- Where are you?’ (Bereishis 3:9) “How could it be that Hashem, Who created the entire world and knows exactly what goes on everywhere, had to ask Adam where he was?” the minister asked. “Didn’t He know?”
Rav Shneur Zalman replied: “Before answering your question, please tell me if you believe with all your heart that the holy Torah is not a storybook or history book; each and every word in the Torah has an eternal message that is applicable to each person in every generation.”
“I believe,” said the minister, “that the Torah is eternal and applies to everyone at all times.”
The Baal HaTanya said: “Now you’ll be able to understand this verse. Hashem created each person with a purpose. Every person has a mission to fulfill, and as the years go by, Hashem calls to him and asks: ‘Ayekka -- where are you? What have you accomplished? What have you done to fulfill your mission?’” He continued: “You are so many years old, with so many months and so many days. G-d is asking you, ‘Ayekka -- where are you? What have you done with your life?’”
The minister was very moved by the tzaddik’s explanation, and even more so when he heard the tzaddik tell him his exact age to the day. The penetrating question of “Ayekka -- where are you?” shook him to the core. He promised the tzaddik to do everything possible to free him from prison.
Rav Shneur Zalman replied: “Before answering your question, please tell me if you believe with all your heart that the holy Torah is not a storybook or history book; each and every word in the Torah has an eternal message that is applicable to each person in every generation.”
“I believe,” said the minister, “that the Torah is eternal and applies to everyone at all times.”
The Baal HaTanya said: “Now you’ll be able to understand this verse. Hashem created each person with a purpose. Every person has a mission to fulfill, and as the years go by, Hashem calls to him and asks: ‘Ayekka -- where are you? What have you accomplished? What have you done to fulfill your mission?’” He continued: “You are so many years old, with so many months and so many days. G-d is asking you, ‘Ayekka -- where are you? What have you done with your life?’”
The minister was very moved by the tzaddik’s explanation, and even more so when he heard the tzaddik tell him his exact age to the day. The penetrating question of “Ayekka -- where are you?” shook him to the core. He promised the tzaddik to do everything possible to free him from prison.
(Nikolsburg.org)
<><><><><><><><><><>
Gut and meaningful Shabbos to all!
No comments:
Post a Comment