Parshas Bereishit: A New Beginning

This week’s Torah portion, Bereishit (Genesis) 1:1 - 6:8, challenges us with the notion that God, the Creator of everything, is and always will be. From before time began through all eternity, God the Creator is the power and energy driving all mysterious and mundane happenings alike.

Everything that we can see, feel, hear, touch, smell and somehow intuitively know comes from this Source that is able to create all things from nothing!

The life force that animates all creation inspires awe and curiosity. Jews are taught to respect life in all its variety and forms. We are tasked with protecting and caring for God’s precious and valuable creation out of respect and appreciation for the Divine will.

The early onset of human self will, guilt and shame as described in the story of the serpent introduces a competing agenda for human beings. Not content with the simple tasks of daily living in the Garden, Adam and Eve opt to pursue personal satisfactions apart from honoring and serving God. 

Soon after Adam and Eve gain knowledge of good and evil, HaShem asks them, “Where are you?” Of course, He knows exactly where they are, both logistically and spiritually. They are hiding in shame after clearly disobeying His will. When HaShem asks them, “Did you disobey Me?” they justify their choices and blame each other. They offer no apology, show no contrition, nor do they take responsibility for their actions. As a result, they suffer a spiritual death. They forfeit a Heaven on earth.

Tragic long term family problems follow the immediate results of this fateful decision. In a fit of rage motivated by pride and envy, Cain murders his brother, Abel. The sin of murder removes Cain from God’s protection and favor. He suffers terribly from anxiety, depression, guilt and self-pity throughout the remainder of his life. He, too, suffers a spiritual death.

This departure from righteousness in the first chapters of Genesis begins a downward spiral of sin and bad judgement into the first ten generations of human beings. Eventually, evil reigns supreme. Murder and mayhem define the times. The portion closes with God regretting the gift of life He has bestowed to human beings at the time of creation.

Everyday, HaShem asks each one of us, “Where are you?” Where is your thinking today? Are you thinking about Me or yourself? Are you making choices that sanctify My Holy name by supporting and protecting unborn children in this era of legal baby killing? Or, are you abandoning this responsibility in the pursuit for material gain, and personal satisfaction and security?

Because Jewish children in the womb are part of God’s creation, they qualify for our protection and care no matter the cost to our personal, professional, or family position. Serving, respecting and pleasing God by assuming this responsibility brings deeper satisfaction, peace and pleasure than any worldly gain.

Isaiah reinforces this message in our Haftarah portion this week, Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 42:5-21. Through the prophet, God reminds us that He creates every person, everything, and that He designs the unfolding of creation, both past and future. Isaiah foresees a time in human history when the Jewish people will regain their spiritual center in God, and then all the people of the world who have suffered greatly from their self imposed exile from Heaven will turn back to right thinking and right living. Now that we know how to do this, we can do it right now and restore a Heaven on earth.

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Cecily Routman

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life upon us and upon all Israel. Amen.