Bereshit
Parshat Beresheet We now begin the cycle of readings all over again. The Torah begins with a description of the order of Creation, creation of Man, and the initial behavior of Man.
First Aliyah - Genesis chapter 1:1-2:3 pp. 3-12
The first three days of creation are described. God created the heaven and the earth, day and night, separation between water and sky and the blossoming of vegetation. The fourth and fifth days of creation. Lights in the heavens to distinguish between day and night, and the creation of reptiles and birds. The sixth and seventh days. God creates animals and Man. The stated purpose of Man is to rule over creation. The first commandment is to be fruitful and multiply. On the seventh day God ceased from the work of creation and blessed the seventh day.
Second Aliyah - 2:4-2:19 pp. 12-16
This section summarizes creation. Pay close attention to the order presented here and compare it to chapter one. Also note the change in God’s name. It goes on to describe the Garden of Eden. Man can eat from every tree except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Third Aliyah - 2:20-3:21 pp. 16-23
Man names all the animals then God creates Woman. This section concludes with the story of the snake and the apple.
Fourth Aliyah - 3:22-4:18 pp. 23-28
God evicts Adam and Eve from the Garden lest they eat from the tree of life and become immortal.
We are told of Cain and Abel. This section concludes with a list of Cain’s descendants.
Fifth Aliyah - 4:19-26 pp. 28-29
A continuation of Cain’s descendants.
The birth of Adam and Eve’s third son, Seth.
Sixth Aliyah - 5:1-24 pp. 30-32
A list of generations from Adam to Enoch, seven generations in all. Of Enoch it is said that he walked with God and that his life ended by God taking him.
Seventh Aliyah - 5:25-6:8 pp. 32-34
Three generations from Enoch to Noah.
In Noah’s time the desires of Man were evil. God is disappointed in His creation and decides to destroy humanity. Only Noah found favor in God’s eyes.
Maftir – 6:5-8 p. 34
Haftorah – Isaiah 42:5–43:10 pp. 36-40
Our haftorah describes how the Creator will save the world from moral degeneracy. Just as the Torah reading describes God’s power and people’s moral decay, so too Isaiah preaches that God’s power will prevail to save the world.
Prayer for New Month
Rosh Chodesh mar-cheshvan yihyeh be-yom ha-revi’i u-la-machrato be-yom ha-chamishi.
The month of Cheshvan begins on Wednesday and Thursday.
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