This coming Shabbas is special for me as it is my bar mitzva parsha, a perfect time to speak about creation. Certainly, a discussion about the beginning of creation is fascinating, but a more significant focus is the creation of man. The most widely debated question in Judaism is “Why did Hashem create us?” This question is, surprisingly, not posed enough in today’s Yeshiva world and the answer is not always available at the fingertips of most Jews including those who grew up in a religious environment. One explanation attributed to this query is that the very act of creation is not totally explicit. There are, however, some acceptable clues offered by great Rabbis such as Rabbinu Tam, the Ari Z”L and many others who discuss this topic. The simple and basic answer is hinted to in the first commandment that Adam and Chava received from Hashem: מכל עץ הגן אכל תאכל ומעץ הדעת ..... לא תאכל ממנו. The Meshech Chochma explains that the first part of the passuk is commanding man to enjoy every fruit of the garden because ultimately this is the essence of creation-- to give man pleasure and delight. However, there are levels of pleasure and often a price to pay when they are taken to extremes. This topic will be revisited at a later date.
I would like to inspire the reader now to join in the mitzva of Shnaim Mikra Veechad Targum. It’s an obligation for men and although the requirement for women is in dispute, it certainly is an inspiring idea for them. The commitment is based on the actual meaning and purpose of the mitzva. As explained by the poskim and further expressed by the Baal Hatanya. a Jew has to live with the Parsha. This means that every week when we read the parsha twice and once with a translation we need to make sure we’re not just reading quickly but also seeking out the messages Hashem is sending us each week. This explains why women are exempt from the obligation of learning Torah per say but are nevertheless included in connecting to the new messages and instructions that Hashem is sending them. The Parsha of Bereshis provides us with an important general missive: Hashem offers us an opportunity to attain as much permissible pleasure as possible and the ultimate pleasure is to connect to Him which can only be done through mitzvos and Torah learning. However, there is a personal message that each one of us can glean from the Parsha that is unique to our private mission in this world. It takes some patience and dedicated time but the results of our efforts provide powerful dividends.
May we all attain closeness to Hashem and be willing to open our ears and minds to Hashem’s messages Good Shabbas
RABBI DANIEL COREN
SEMICHAS CHAVER SHIUR in R’ Coren’s office every Wednesday at 9:00 PM
Hachana L'Shabbos Shiur in 20 Upstairs every Tuesday at 9:45 PM
