Bereishis – Peninim on the Torah

לפתח חטאת רובץ

Sin rests at the door. (4:7)

The yetzer hara, evil inclination, does not give up. It waits vigilantly for the yetzer hara, evil inclination, does not give up. It waits vigilantly for the opportunity to entice the individual to sin. The Midrash draws a comparison between the evil inclination and the dogs in Rome. Apparently, the dogs in Rome were extremely astute in providing sustenance for themselves. They would park themselves at the back of the baker’s door, where he stacked his freshly baked breads. As the baker stacked the breads, the dog feigned sleep in order not to arouse the baker’s vigilance. As soon as many breads…

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ארורה האדמה בעבורך... כי עפר אתה ואל עפר תשוב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

“Accursed is the ground because of you…For you are dust, and to dust shall you return.” (3:17,19)

It is difficult to understand the way in which Adam HaRishon, the crown of Creation, Hashem’s handiwork, transgressed His explicit command, a command that was punishable by death. If this is so, as the Rambam states in his Moreh Nevuchim (1,2), why was he punished so severely? Anybody can err. Furthermore, why did Chavah believe the serpent’s assurances over Hashem’s explicit warning? Indeed, something was wrong with her reply to the snake, “Lest we die” (Bereishis 3:3). Did Hashem not say that death would clearly be the punishment? In his Madreigos Ha’Adam, the Alter, zl, m’Novardok, Horav Yosef Yozel Horowitz,…

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וירא אלקים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאד

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

And G-d saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. (1:31)

After Hashem created the world in its entirety, the Torah declares that it was not only good, but it was very good. On an individual basis, each creation in isolation may be viewed as inherently good. When everything is combined into the larger context, it becomes very good. Even those creations that appear to be evil – such as misery, pain and even death – have their place in the larger scheme of things. Thus, in the total context of existence, we can view them as being very good. Indeed, the Midrash says: “Tov, good: this is the angel of…

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ויאמר אלקים יהי אור ויהי אור

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

And G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (1:3)

In Sefer Tehillim (119:130) David Ha’melech says, “The introduction of Your words illuminates.” The Midrash in Sefer Shemos explains that this pasuk refers to the opening words of the Torah, “In the beginning G-d created.” Light preceded all of the rest of Creation. Similarly, the Aron HaKodesh, which housed the Torah, also called ohr, light, preceded the other vessels of the Mishkan. Light must precede every other creation; in fact, it must precede everything. The ability to see clearly, to understand the basic foundation of knowledge, is a prerequisite for an undistorted view of life. Clarity of vision is the…

Home -> 5767 -> Bereishis

ויאמר אלקים יהי אור ויהי אור

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

And G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (1:3)

In Sefer Tehillim (119:130) David Ha’melech says, “The introduction ofYour words illuminates.” The Midrash in Sefer Shemos explains that thispasuk refers to the opening words of the Torah, “In the beginning G-dcreated.” Light preceded all of the rest of Creation. Similarly, the AronHaKodesh, which housed the Torah, also called ohr, light, preceded the othervessels of the Mishkan. Light must precede every other creation; in fact, it mustprecede everything. The ability to see clearly, to understand the basic foundationof knowledge, is a prerequisite for an undistorted view of life. Clarity of visionis the framework upon which all understanding is based. How…

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לפתח חטאת רובץ

Sin rests at the door. (4:7)

ארורה האדמה בעבורך... כי עפר אתה ואל עפר תשוב

“Accursed is the ground because of you…For you are dust, and to dust shall you return.” (3:17,19)

וירא אלקים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאד

And G-d saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. (1:31)

ויאמר אלקים יהי אור ויהי אור

And G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (1:3)

ויאמר אלקים יהי אור ויהי אור

And G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (1:3)

YEARS

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