YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Bereshit
The layout of the Creation story is to first present the broad, general outline of the 7 days of creation, & only later provide the details. This is most obvious in the creation of Man, as the Torah "fills in the blanks" quite a few p’sukim after the initial subject is recorded.
This is also true regarding the creation of the Earth’s vegetation. The Torah first says that G-d created herbs, grass & fruit-bearing trees on Day 3. Hashem then tells Adam on Day 6, "I have given you all that grows to serve as food for you." This is all in chapter 1.
But it is only in chapter 2 that we find a slight, yet significant revision: Yes, says the Torah, the potential for growth was indeed there, but it had not yet been realized:
"Now all the trees of the field were not yet on the earth, & the vegetation had not sprouted, for Hashem had not sent the rain, nor was there Man to work the soil." (2:5)
The missing agricultural ingredient was humanity: Only when man came to understand that nothing would grow without rain - & rain would not fall until man prayed for it! - & that the crops would not flourish without man’s effort to nurture & grow them, did the earth finally begin to bloom & blossom. Adam - whose name actually means "soil" – was the engine for the land to yield its amazing bounty & sustain the world for evermore.
I suggest that this is why the word, "V’hibar’am – when they were created," that introduces this topic, is spelled with an unusually small "Hay." The letter Hay, of course, stands for Hashem; I think the Torah is hinting to us that Hashem’s role is somewhat diminished - by design - in that He will not do all the work by Himself – Man must also be an integral part of this effort by both planting & praying.
Of course, this lesson is not restricted to agriculture. In each & every field, we humans must perceive what is missing, what is needed, & then reach out to Hashem to help us perfect that part of the puzzle.
One of the many miracles of modern Israel is our high-tech industry, where we do precisely this. We identify innumerable areas where life can be improved – from medicine to micro-chips to motoring - & then we invent products that solve the problem. We have learned Adam’s lesson well & used our intelligence & initiative to make this world infinitely better than we found it.
And you can "Bet" we’ll make it even BETter tomorrow!
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Parashat Hashavua The Strength of His Actions He Told to His Nation
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, pp. 6-8
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
