The Shinova Rov zy”a quotes his son-in-law, the author of Sefer Aryeh D’bei Ilai zy”a, as asking why the Shabbos when we read Parshas Bereishis is known as “Shabbos Bereishis”, while we do not find the same thing regarding other Parshios (for example, we do not call the next Shabbos “Shabbos Noach).
He answers that during the Yomim Noraim, it is certain that every Jew experienced thoughts of teshuva and accepted to do good things in the future. Therefore, this week is called “Shabbos Bereishis”, the first Shabbos, because it represents a new start in a person’s life. This name is meant to remind a person that whatever occurred in the past is over and he should utilize his fresh start to be good.
Reprinted from the Parshas Bereishis 5785 edition of Way of Emunah: Collected Thoughts of Rabbi Meir Isamar Rosenbaum.
