Bereishis – Page 15 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Hashem, Elokim, fashioned the side that He had taken from the man into a woman.” (2:22)

The Midrash teaches us that Hashem “deliberated” before He created the first woman. Everything is influenced by the source from which it is created. Consequently, Hashem arranged it so that woman would not be created from any part of the body which would have an adverse affect upon her. He said, “If I create her from the head, she might become lightheaded. If I create her from the eyes, she might be overly curious, looking where she should not. If I create her from the ears, she might be predisposed to listen to gossip. If I create her from the…

Home -> 5756 -> Bereishis

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“In the beginning, Hashem created.” (1:1)

In the Yalkut Shimoni, Chazal explain why the Torah begins with the letter “Bais.” The Midrash relates that when Hashem was about to create the world, each of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet came before Him and asked that the world be created specifically with its letter. The “Taf” felt it should be first since it begins the word “Torah.” This scenario continued, with each letter vying for the honor of being chosen for this most sublime “occasion.” At the end, the letter “Bais” entered and said it should be selected since the Bais is used for blessing…

Home -> 5756 -> Bereishis

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“And they heard the sound of Hashem… and the man and his wife hid from Hashem… ‘Where is Hevel, your brother?’ and he (Kayin) said, ‘I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?'”(3:8, 4:9)

Two serious sins were committed in this parsha, one by a father and the other by his son. A remarkable lesson can be derived from the progression of the sins and the apparent degeneration in the attitude that the father and son each demonstrated towards his transgression. When Hashem confronted Adam, the Torah relates that he “hid” from Hashem. The Targum Yonasan comments that he hid out of shame. He simply could not face Hashem after what he had done. When Hashem inquired if Adam had eaten from the Eitz Ha’Daas, Adam immediately confessed his guilt. There was no cover-up,…

Home -> 5756 -> Bereishis

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“The blood of your brother cries out to Me from the ground.” (4:10)

The word d’mei is written in the plural, lending itself to be translated as “bloods.” Chazal infer from this plural distinction that Kayin’s violent crime was not directed at Hevel alone. Indeed, he is held responsible for shedding the “blood” of all future generations. In an alternative interpretation, Chazal indicate that Hevel bled from different wounds. Not knowing how to kill his brother, Kayin flung sticks and rocks which inflicted many wounds upon his entire body. Only after he struck his neck did Hevel die. Hashem, upon demanding justice from Kayin, emphasized that each and every wound, every bit of…

Home -> 5756 -> Bereishis

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“And Kayin knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Chanoch, he became a city builder and named the city after his son, Chanoch.” (4:l7)

A name carries a great deal of meaning. What is the significance of Chanoch’s name that Kayin selected it over any number of similarly appropriate names? Also, why did he use the same name that he gave to his son for his first city? The Koheles Yitzchak relates a novel explanation for the use of this name, in the name of a Gadol Echod. In retrospect, Kayin was distressed over his reprehensible act of killing Hevel. He asked himself how someone of his stature and nobility could kill his brother in cold blood? Where did he get that burning passion…

Home -> 5756 -> Bereishis

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“These are the offspring of Noach — Noach was a righteous man.” (6:9)

The pasuk opens with an introduction to Noach’s offspring, but then continues by mentioning that Noach was a righteous man. Rashi cites the Midrash which explains that the primary progeny of the righteous are their good deeds. Children are our legacy, the chain with which we connect to our future. Children are the way we eternalize ourselves. They carry on from the point where we depart this world. So, too, are a person’s good deeds his precious legacy! He is remembered by them, as they serve to inspire others to continue in the same path upon which he tread. The…

Home -> 5755 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5755

“And Hashem saw that the light was good so (and) Hashem separated the light from the darkness.” (1:4)

Rashi explains that Hashem saw that the light was good, but He did not want the light to rule together with or over the darkness. He let the darkness subsist, separating it from the light. This seems enigmatic. Why would Hashem create darkness and light together only to separate them afterwards? Why not simply create two separate entities completely distinct from one another from the beginning? Horav E.M. Bloch z.l., infers an important lesson from this pasuk. From the beginning of creation, Hashem instituted the important principle of separation. Differentiation between two entities does not necessarily occur because they are…

Home -> 5755 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5755

“And Hashem said let us make man in our image after our likeness.” (1:26)

Chazal teach us that prior to Adam’s creation, a dispute arose among the angels in Heaven. Those representing the middah, character trait, of chesed, kindness, encouraged his creation since he would perform acts of kindness. Speaking on behalf of the middah of emes, truth, the angels were very negative about his creation, since man is full of falsehood. Hashem responded to this conflict by “flinging” truth to the earth and creating man. This is perplexing. Why would Hashem create man if he would be untrue? Obviously, this act of flinging truth to the earth was more of a response to…

Home -> 5755 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5755

“And Hashem created the man.” (1:27)

There is an interesting Midrash relating to this pasuk. Man was created on the last day. If a person is worthy, he is told, “You came before the entire creation,” since he was the reason for the creation of the world. On the other hand, if he is not worthy, he is told, “Even a gnat preceded you, an earthworm preceded you.” Horav Boruch Sorotzkin z.l., explains this Midrash in the following manner: If man merits to fulfill his purpose in this world, if he is virtuous and carries out Hashem’s mandate, then he precedes creation. The purpose gave way…

Home -> 5755 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5755

“The snake was the craftiest of all the wild animals.” (3:1)

The “first sin” stands as the paradigm of all sin. As Horav Eli Munk z.l., notes, sin begins with a dialogue between the animal instinct and the human conscience. The deciding factor of sin is, which one will prevail? How one responds to this question determines his own personal destiny and that of future generations. In the final analysis, the success or failure of mankind is dependent upon man’s attitude towards ethics and morality. The Torah’s narrative regarding man’s first breach in obedience is the story of all moral failings. Animals respond only to their instinct, while man is blessed…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Bereishis ->

“And Hashem, Elokim, fashioned the side that He had taken from the man into a woman.” (2:22)

“In the beginning, Hashem created.” (1:1)

“And they heard the sound of Hashem… and the man and his wife hid from Hashem… ‘Where is Hevel, your brother?’ and he (Kayin) said, ‘I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?'”(3:8, 4:9)

“The blood of your brother cries out to Me from the ground.” (4:10)

“And Kayin knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Chanoch, he became a city builder and named the city after his son, Chanoch.” (4:l7)

“These are the offspring of Noach — Noach was a righteous man.” (6:9)

“And Hashem saw that the light was good so (and) Hashem separated the light from the darkness.” (1:4)

“And Hashem said let us make man in our image after our likeness.” (1:26)

“And Hashem created the man.” (1:27)

“The snake was the craftiest of all the wild animals.” (3:1)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!