Parshas Bereishis 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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The Torah relates how G-d created the world in six days. After each part of Creation had been completed the Torah confirms that G-d saw it was good. On the sixth day of Creation, after Man and Woman had been created, G-d saw that everything He created was very good. The purpose of all creation is for the sake of Man. G-d created a perfect world that contained everything necessary for its proper maintenance.

The human being was endowed with free will. This allows him to choose to follow the Creator’s will and thus be deserving of great reward. However, he is also capable of choosing to behave in a way contrary to G-d’s desire, for purposes of self-glorification and pleasure. With the very introduction of the first human beings, the Torah exposes human nature and some its weaknesses.

Adam and Eve were given one mitzvah to observe in the Garden of Eden. They could enjoy the fruits of every tree in the garden except for one, the Tree of Knowledge. Had they kept this one mitzvah, they would have fulfilled their purpose and brought the world and all of its future to eternal bliss.

Yet, they allowed themselves to be enticed by the serpent. The fruit looked delicious and the serpent’s arguments that they would become wiser made sense, and they ate from the forbidden fruit. Man fell to temptation, trading eternity for a moment of fleeting pleasure.

Furthermore, when confronted by G-d as to why they had transgressed their commandment, Adam and Eve both “passed the buck”, with Adam laying the blame on Eve, and Eve laying the blame on the serpent. Rather than appreciating their G-d given gift of free will, Adam and Eve turned it against G-d and complained that they were coerced. The Rabbis see in this denial of guilt an even worse sin than the original disobedience, for until man understands his failings, he cannot begin to rectify them.

Cain and Abel too, the first brothers in the world, were subject to sibling rivalry that had tragic consequences. Abel offered a sacrifice to G-d from his choicest flocks, whereas Cain offered one from his inferior produce. Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s was not. Cain was jealous of his brother and murdered him. Instead of choosing to improve his own behavior, he chose to destroy his competition.

These stories portray the negative character and lowliness to which every human being is capable of falling if he fails to develop and elevate his base nature. The seeds of lust for physical pleasure, lack of appreciation, desire for honor, and jealousy are rooted in every person. It is a lifetime of work to uproot these traits and develop the G-d-like qualities that man is also capable of achieving.

G-d said, “Let us make man”... (Gen. 1:26)

The Midrash questions the misleading terminology “Let us,” which implies a multiplicity. Who was helping G-d in the creation of man? It explains that G-d wanted to teach the importance of humility, to confer with others before making important decisions, for even G-d conferred with the angels before creating man.

Rav Ahron Walkin, a leading Torah scholar and author, once received a letter from a twelve-year-old budding scholar disagreeing with a published interpretation of his. Rav Walkin accepted the boy’s critique, and in a subsequent edition he retracted his own interpretation and even apologized for his error. The truth must be accepted from whatever source it may come.

Did You Know...

The Midrash relates how G-d prepared Eve for her wedding, even fixing her hair; escorted both Adam and Eve to their wedding canopy, and rejoiced with the new bride and groom. The Rabbis learn from this the importance of helping the bride and groom rejoice at their wedding. Whether through financial assistance, or through physically dancing and frolicking before the couple, it is considered a great mitzvah.

If it was a first marriage for either the bride or the groom, the festivities continue for a full week. The couple should not return to work until after the week. The bride and groom are accorded honor like a king and queen throughout the week. Neither should be left alone during that time, in the same manner that royalty is always escorted. If ten men are present at their meals, including at least one new face, the wedding blessings are recited at each meal.