YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Bereshit
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
In these p’sukim Adam is called for the time, "ish" (man), which is the primary word for a member of the male gender (as opposed to ha’adam, which is related to Adam’s specific name). Chava (Eve) is generally called "the woman," especially after the great sin, when she was decreed to suffer difficulties in childbearing (ibid. 3:16). Her given name, Chava, is also related to her role as the bearer of future generations of humans. Indeed, most of the description of human history throughout the parasha relates to the birth of children. (Note that the word, "toldot," refers both to begetting children and to history.) At the end of the parasha, there is an account of the powerful males who improperly grabbed women at will and had powerful sons. In total the verb for having children (yalad) appears in our parasha over forty times.
Before addressing the lessons behind these facts, let us observe another couple of things. In discussing man and woman in the "first perek," the Torah does not use the terms of ish and isha but the colder, more scientific terms of zachar (male) and n’keiva (female). The very end of the parasha describes Hashem’s "regret" at making man and His decision to erase all life on the face of the earth. This matter cannot be separated from the story of sexual impropriety that directly precedes these p’sukim. As Chazal tell us, humans’ failure to keep the rules of sexual conduct caused the problem to spread to the rest of creation. Animals began mating with other species, and even vegetation did not always reproduce according to its seeds (Yalkut Shimoni, Bereishit 47).
When man and woman can be described only as male and female, it is premature to talk about relationships and the birth of children from their interaction. When they are ish and isha, which hints at their sharing in their union Hashem’s Name, their union is significant. The couple’s relationship must not be limited to themselves, but must also be a means to inhabit the world. Deterioration in the standards in this matter may bring the disintegration of the world and even its destruction. In our times, when the challenges to the family unit are so daunting, we should learn the lesson of the beginning of the story of humanity.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.