Parshas B'reishis 5767

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 that it was good. On the sixth day of Creation, after Man and Woman had been created, G-d saw that everything that He created was very good. G-d created a perfect world that contained everything that was necessary for its proper maintenance.

The human being was endowed with free will. As such, he is capable of behavior that is considerably less than perfect. 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 made sense, so they ate from the forbidden fruit. Not only did they not heed their one commandment, but also 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. 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 became 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 one 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.

“…therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:25)

Marriage is supposed to be a commitment for life. Unfortunately, our society does not always view it like that.

A girl was once overheard saying that when she dates, she asks herself, “Is this the man I would like my children to spend every other weekend with?”

The Alter of Slabodka once asked a married student if he helped his wife prepare for Shabbos. “Certainly,” the young man replied, “It’s a great mitzvah to help prepare for Shabbos.”

The Alter was not impressed. “You shouldn’t help just because it’s a mitzvah for Shabbos. Your wife is an extension of you, and you must help her like you help yourself.”

Did You Know...

The Shabbos is greeted each Friday night by two mitzvos. The lady of the home lights candles shortly before sunset, and the Kiddush is recited before the meal on a cup of wine.

The passages in the Torah describing the end of Creation are recited at the beginning of Kiddush. This recital is actually a form of testimony to G-d’s creation, and many thus have the custom to stand during the first part of Kiddush, in the same manner that testimony in court must be offered while standing. Some stand through the entire Kiddush, while others sit during the latter part of the Kiddush.

Those listening to the Kiddush must bear in mind that they want to fulfill the mitzvah of Kiddush, and they should not speak until the leader drinks some wine.