Parashat Bereshit: Torah as the Blueprint of Creation and the Journey of Teshuvah (2022)

May we all have a very healthy winter, physically and spiritually. While it's not officially winter yet, the recent g’shamim mark a shift in the seasons. As we move from Simchat Torah into the weekly cycle with Shabbat Bereshit, I wanted to share a few words of inspiration.

May we begin Sefer Bereshit with renewed excitement and appreciation for the incredible gift of Torat Hashem—a Divine guide for creation and for our lives.

Torah: Hashem’s Blueprint for Creation

The Midrash teaches:

"Istakel Hashem b’Oraita u’vara alma" – Hashem looked into the Torah and created the world.

Before building anything, you need a plan. According to Chazal, Hashem’s plan was the Torah itself.

The Midrash describes the Torah as black fire on white fire, a metaphor for energy—creative, illuminating, and even dangerous if misused. The Ramban explains that the Torah’s 600,000 letters represent the Names of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and that creation itself unfolded through the power of these Names.

While much of this is beyond our full comprehension, it shows the depth and holiness of Torah. On one level, we learn Pshat, the basic meaning. But there are also deeper layers: Drash (homiletics), Remez (hints), and Sod (secrets).

The Hamishim Sha’arei Binah—50 Gates of Understanding—were created by Hashem, but only 49 were given to humanity. These levels of wisdom are unlocked through Torah learning, which empowered our Chachamim to answer even complex questions—spiritual, emotional, and practical—through Limud HaTorah.

The Creation of Man: Infinite Potential

Hakadosh Baruch Hu created Adam HaRishon from earth gathered from the four corners of the world. This symbolizes our potential to connect in every place and situation. The word Adam comes from adamah (earth), but it also includes elements from every creature—showing that humans contain the essence of all creation.

Even when we feel broken or weak, Hashem reminds us:

You have untapped greatness within.

Adam was placed in Gan Eden, surrounded by beauty—everything “tov la’einayim” (good to the eyes). There was only one limitation: the Eitz HaDa’at Tov V’Ra (Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil). Despite the abundance, the Yetzer Hara, represented by the snake, tempted Chava to focus on the one thing they couldn’t have. This temptation appealed to appearance, ego, and the illusion of control.

Their mistake? A lack of gratitude and submission to Hashem’s will. The snake’s punishment—losing its legs and crawling—symbolizes the humbling of arrogance. We fall spiritually when we believe we understand better than Hashem. Real strength is in bowing, acknowledging that everything we have is from Him.

Three Sources of Downfall—and the Hope of Teshuvah

Chazal identify three forces that “remove a person from the world”:

1. Kinah – Jealousy

2. Ta’avah – Physical desire

3. Kavod – Pursuit of honor

We see these immediately in Bereshit:

• Ta’avah caused Adam’s fall.

• Kinah led Kayin to kill Hevel, sparked by a spiritual rivalry—who would merit the Beit HaMikdash, who would inherit the land?

• Kavod corrupted the generation of the Mabul (Flood), who grew arrogant and disrespectful.

Yet even in these failures, there’s hope:

• Adam did teshuvah.

• Kayin, even after his terrible sin, was granted a path to repentance.Hashem always allows a return.

This is the Torah’s message in Parashat Bereshit: Hashem gives and gives, and asks only that we recognize His greatness and live with His Torah as our center.

"Ki heim chayeinu v’orech yameinu" – For they are our life and the length of our days.

Sukkot Story: A Hidden Reward for a Mitzvah

I’ll end with a true story shared around Sukkot:

A Jewish man in Manhattan struggled to build a kosher sukkah—his neighbor’s porch blocked his. He found space in an alley, but the building manager rejected it. Then he found a spot on a non-Jewish neighbor’s roof. The neighbor demanded $1,000 for access—plus another $500 for a signed legal contract. The man agreed, eager to fulfill the mitzvah.

When he began building, he discovered hidden treasure: a bag of gold, diamonds, and jewelry—a thief’s stash. He immediately turned it in to the police. Months later, no one had claimed it. Legally, it was his.

The neighbor sued, claiming it was on his property. In court, the judge asked for proof of rental. The man produced the contract. The judge ruled that for those seven days, the property legally belonged to the renter.

The jewels were his.

Even when mitzvot seem costly or inconvenient, Hashem rewards. Sometimes, in ways we never imagine.

Embracing the Message of Bereshit

Parashat Bereshit teaches us that:

• Torah is the foundation of all creation.

• Humanity holds infinite spiritual potential.

• Teshuvah is always possible.

• Hashem’s generosity is boundless—and mitzvot bring blessing.

Let us begin this new Torah cycle with renewed commitment to learning, doing mitzvot, and seeing Hashem’s hand in all things.

Wishing you a beautiful Shabbos and a truly healthy winter.With love from Yerushalayim.