Parashat Bereshit
October 19, 2022
Aviva Michaeli, Community Engagement Associate
This month of Tishrei is full of beginnings. Rosh HaShanah marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar. More recently, we just celebrated Simchat Torah, when we read both Vezot HaBracha, the last parashah of the Torah, and Bereshit, the first parashah. This is to emphasize that our study of the Torah is not linear, but rather, cyclical and continuous, and an enduring part of the Jewish lifecycle.
The last few words of the Torah are: “לעיני כל בני ישראל” — “In the eyes of all of the children of Israel.” When you look at the first verse of the Torah, it reads, “בראשית ברא אלוהים את השמים ואת הארץ” — “In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth.” Putting these together yields the meaning: it is incumbent upon the Jewish people to see the first miracle of creation.
Several emblematic stories in the Torah define the narrative of the Jewish people. One compelling story that comes to mind is Abraham’s migration away from his homeland and everything he knew in order to establish a monotheistic faith and family of forebearers. The dramatic exodus from Egypt is another essential Jewish story. But the Torah starts with none of these. It focuses our attention and our eyes on the creation of the universe first. Why would this be?
One of the most pivotal rabbis of the twentieth century, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, famously stated, “Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement . . . get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.”
I think Rabbi Heschel’s profound statement connects to this week’s portion, Bereshit, in two ways. First, it’s incredible that we live in our world, a truly wonderful, intricate miracle of creation, definitely not to be taken for granted. But also, there is value in recognizing and acting on the potential of beginnings. Noticing nuances in life can give you an appreciation for the difference between what is and what was not before. We can look into the familiar verses of Bereshit with a new partner and find something new to learn. Where there is no obligation to act generously, we can recognize the kindnesses that others do for us and initiate our own acts of altruism.
As we finally fall into the rhythms of this new year after weeks of chagim, may we continue anew to find opportunities for learning, growth, and lovingkindness. Shabbat Shalom.
As we finally fall into the rhythms of this new year after weeks of chagim, may we continue anew to find opportunities for learning, growth, and lovingkindness. Shabbat Shalom.