Bereishis – Peninim on the Torah

ויאמר לו איכה

And He said to him, Ayekah, “Where are you?” (3:9)

One of the most penetrating and commented on questions recorded in the Torah is Hashem’s inquiry of Adam HaRishon following his eating of the eitz ha’daas, Ayekah? “Where are you?” The question is whether it is in fact, an inquiry—or more of a statement. Vayomer, “And he said to him” appears unnecessary. Adam was hiding in Gan Eden – out of shame, having violated Hashem’s one command to him. Hashem knew precisely where Adam was hiding. The Creator of the universe does not require direction. Rather, the Almighty was striking up a conversation with Adam, allowing him to prepare and…

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ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום אחד

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5787

And there was evening and there was morning – one day. (1:5)

One may err in thinking that, “And there was evening, and there was morning – one day,” is a chronological note in the opening of Creation; rather, it is a foundational statement about the rhythm of existence itself. Choshech/darkness/evening suggests decline, uncertainty, obscurity and also adversity – both physical and spiritual. In contrast, morning, light, day, suggests renewal, illumination, awakening with vigor to take on the challenge of adversity. The human instinct is to treat night and day as opposites when, in fact, they work in tandem. One who hits a bump in the road – a pothole from which…

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בראשית ברא אלקים

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5787

In the beginning of G-d’s creating. (1:1)

The Torah begins with the letter bais – the first letter in the word, Bereishis – and concludes with the letter lamed, the final letter in the word, Yisrael. Together, these two letters form the word lev – heart. This is far more than a linguistic observation. It conveys a profound truth concerning the role of Torah in Jewish life. The heart is the body’s central organ. It pumps life-giving blood through every limb and organ, sustaining the entire person. Without the heart’s constant activity, the body cannot survive. Likewise, the Torah is the heart and soul of the Jewish…

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ועפר תאכל כל ימי חייך

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5786

And dust shall you eat all the days of your life. (3:14)

Rebbeinu Bachya derives from the words kol yemei chayecha, “all the days of your life,” that the serpent’s punishment will not be mitigated l’asid lavo, after the advent of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. With the arrival of Moshiach, a new world culture will prevail. Harmony and peace will reign, and even the enmity between the serpent and human beings will come to an end. The punishment, “And dust shall you eat all the days of your life,” however, will continue unabated throughout time. In other words, despite the fact that, when Moshiach arrives the world will revert to pre-sin (of eating of…

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ומעץ הדעת טוב ורע לא תאכל ממנו

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5786

But of the Tree of Knowledge, of Good and Bad, you must not eat thereof. (2:17)

Adam Ha’Rishon was the yetzir kapav shel HaKadosh Baruch Hu, formed and created by Hashem. Yet, he sinned. He had one single mitzvah – not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. He could not withstand the temptation, however, and he sinned. We have 613 mitzvos and are commanded to observe them all. Obviously, a disparity exists between us and Adam. Adam did not have a yetzer hora, evil inclination – nothing to provoke him to commit anything negative; yet, he sinned. In his Moreh Nevuchim, Rambam posits that by sinning, Adam gained his greatest glory: the faculty of bechirah…

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ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5786

And Hashem said, “Let us make man in our Image in our likeness. (1:26)

Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 8:5) teach that, when Hashem set out to create man, the angels organized themselves into groups – pro and con. Chesed, Kindness, “advised” Hashem to create man, because he would behave kindly and benevolently to others. Emes, Truth, disagreed, claiming that man would be filled with lies; thus, his presence in this world would be harmful. Hashem listened to their positions and then proceeded to fling Truth to the ground. This is alluded to in Daniel (8:12), V’sashleich emes artzah, “He threw Truth earthward” (and created Man). This Midrash begs elucidation. If, in fact, man is full…

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ועפר תאכל כל ימי חייך

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5785

And dust shall you eat all the days of your life. (3:14)

Rebbeinu Bachya derives from the words kol yemei chayecha, “all the days of your life,” that the serpent’s punishment will not be mitigated l’asid lavo, after the advent of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. With the arrival of Moshiach, a new world culture will prevail. Harmony and peace will reign, and even the enmity between the serpent and human beings will come to an end. The punishment, “And dust shall you eat all the days of your life,” however, will continue unabated throughout time. In other words, despite the fact that, when Moshiach arrives the world will revert to pre-sin (of eating of…

Home -> 5785 -> Bereishis

ומעץ הדעת טוב ורע לא תאכל ממנו

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5785

But of the Tree of Knowledge, of Good and Bad, you must not eat thereof. (2:17)

Adam Ha’Rishon was the yetzir kapav shel HaKadosh Baruch Hu, formed and created by Hashem. Yet, he sinned. He had one single mitzvah – not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. He could not withstand the temptation, however, and he sinned. We have 613 mitzvos and are commanded to observe them all. Obviously, a disparity exists between us and Adam. Adam did not have a yetzer hora, evil inclination – nothing to provoke him to commit anything negative; yet, he sinned. In his Moreh Nevuchim, Rambam posits that by sinning, Adam gained his greatest glory: the faculty of bechirah…

Home -> 5785 -> Bereishis

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5785

And Hashem said, “Let us make man in our Image in our likeness. (1:26)

Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 8:5) teach that, when Hashem set out to create man, the angels organized themselves into groups – pro and con. Chesed, Kindness, “advised” Hashem to create man, because he would behave kindly and benevolently to others. Emes, Truth, disagreed, claiming that man would be filled with lies; thus, his presence in this world would be harmful. Hashem listened to their positions and then proceeded to fling Truth to the ground. This is alluded to in Daniel (8:12), V’sashleich emes artzah, “He threw Truth earthward” (and created Man). This Midrash begs elucidation. If, in fact, man is full…

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זה ספר תולדות אדם

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5784

This is the account of the descendants of Adam. (5:1)

Yalkut Shemoni 41 relates that the Book of Adam HaRishon’s descendants was brought before Adam. As he was perusing through the various entries, he chanced upon David Hamelech’s entry. He saw that David’s portion in this world was but three hours. He immediately interceded before Hashem, saying, “This should not be decreed.” (He should live much longer.) Adam then asked Hashem, “How many years have been allotted to me?” Hashem replied, “One thousand years.” Adam asked, “Can I give some (of my years) as a gift?” Hashem replied in the affirmative. Adam said, “I will give him seventy years to…

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ויאמר לו איכה

And He said to him, Ayekah, “Where are you?” (3:9)

ויהי ערב ויהי בקר יום אחד

And there was evening and there was morning – one day. (1:5)

בראשית ברא אלקים

In the beginning of G-d’s creating. (1:1)

ועפר תאכל כל ימי חייך

And dust shall you eat all the days of your life. (3:14)

ומעץ הדעת טוב ורע לא תאכל ממנו

But of the Tree of Knowledge, of Good and Bad, you must not eat thereof. (2:17)

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

And Hashem said, “Let us make man in our Image in our likeness. (1:26)

ועפר תאכל כל ימי חייך

And dust shall you eat all the days of your life. (3:14)

ומעץ הדעת טוב ורע לא תאכל ממנו

But of the Tree of Knowledge, of Good and Bad, you must not eat thereof. (2:17)

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

And Hashem said, “Let us make man in our Image in our likeness. (1:26)

זה ספר תולדות אדם

This is the account of the descendants of Adam. (5:1)

YEARS

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