Bereishis – Peninim on the Torah

“It is not good that man should be alone, I will make him a helpmate opposite him.” (2:18)

The Torah‘s description of Chava as a helpmate “opposite” man seems peculiar. A helpmate should work side by side in a parallel relationship, rather than opposite! The Midrash infers from this expression that a wife can be either a “helpmate” or an “opposition”. If man is worthy, his wife will be a source of support and a helpmate. If he is unworthy, she becomes his opponent. Indeed, as the Tiferes Tzvi extends this idea, a helpful wife is one who encourages her husband to study Torah to the full extent of his ability. This applies to any endeavor. A wife’s…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5753

“For with it He ceased from all His work which Hashem had created for it to continue to work.” (3:2)

Horav Yechezkel Avramsky, z.l., explains that when Hashem created the world, He left opportunity for man to participate. He gave man the role of partner in creation by placing him in control of the revelation of nature’s hidden treasures. When man explores the knowledge which is at the source of every natural power, he gains some control over the processes. His experience “tasting” creation makes him privy to the sublime pleasure produced by the mastery of the spiritual realm over the physical world. Over the ages, man has delved into the secrets of nature. He has sought to reveal the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5753

“And Hashem said, Let Us make man in Our image.” (1:26)

Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, notes that The word “okm”- image– is derived from the Hebrew word “km”– shadow. Man is, therefore, to be viewed as a reflection of Hashem. In effect, the Torah’s statement is a declaration of man’s distinction. In (Avos 3:18) it is stated, “ost chcj okmc trcba uk ,gsub vr,h vcj wokmc trcba”/ “Beloved is man that he was created in the Image; it is a special love that was revealed to him, in that he was created in the Image.” Through this pasuk, the Torah asserts that man is held in high esteem in the eyes…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5753

In the beginning (Hashem) created. (1:1)

The Talmud (Megillah 9a) tells us about king Ptolemy, who gathered seventy two elders and implored them to translate the Torah into Greek. Rather than translating it in the correct form, in their translation.they wrote “,hatrc trc ohekt” – “Hashem created the Beginning.” Rashi attributes the deviation from the original text to logical reasoning. One would not have expected the name of the Creator to precede the creation itself (M’harsha). Therefore, had the elders preserved the sequence of the original text, Ptolemy might have misconstrued the Greek word for “in the beginning” to be the proper name for another deity…

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“It is not good that man should be alone, I will make him a helpmate opposite him.” (2:18)

“For with it He ceased from all His work which Hashem had created for it to continue to work.” (3:2)

“And Hashem said, Let Us make man in Our image.” (1:26)

In the beginning (Hashem) created. (1:1)

YEARS

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