Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe
QUESTION: How does the Torah include sin, death and all the other negative forces in the world within the term טוב מאוד which is used on the sixth day regarding all the elements of creation?
ANSWER: Since G-d is the source of all good, one must say that the ultimate understanding of the negative forces in life are that they are also for good intent. This internal purpose of good is revealed by the power of Teshuvah to turn sin into merits. These negative forces allow the positive possibility of achieving a perfection and elevation beyond one’s original level. )23' עמ ,ט כרך א "פר השיחות תשמ (ס
QUESTION: The Torah opening with the account of Creation (and not the laws) provides substance to the protest of the nations that the Jews stole the land. What is the nature of their complaint?
ANSWER: The nations of the world know that all lands once conquered by one nation can later be conquered and acquired by another nation. Their protest is how is it possible that the land of Canaan can be removed from the status of all other lands, that once it was conquered by the Jews, it can no longer be conquered and acquired by another nation. However, G-d took three steps (G-d created, He gave it to the nations, and He took it and gave it to us) that turned the land of Canaan (that was like all other lands) into Eretz haKodesh, which is no longer like all other lands. )1 'עמ ,הלקוטי שיחות כרך (
QUESTION: Why does the Torah begin with the letter “ב” and not with an “א”?
ANSWER: 1) Begin with a blessing רכה)ב( and not a curse רורה) א( – represents the action of the person learning 2) “ב” closed on 3 sides and open on one – represents the effect of learning on the creation 3) 2nd (letter) level of Torah in ריאהב, and not the first level in צילותא – related to the position of Torah )1 'עמ ,טו לקוטי שיחות כרך (
QUESTION: Did Adam also need to name the fish (like he did for the animals and birds)?
ANSWER: The essence of Creation by G-d is to allow a means for the world to appear separate from Him; thus, Adam gave names to the animals to classify them into separate groups to reflect the apparent separation of the world from G-d. But this reason does not apply to fish, as they are completely covered by the sea, and do not appear as a separate entity. Alternatively, the goal of the Creation is that Adam (and mankind) should cause an effect of Bitul in this world; thus, Adam called the names of the animals to bring out their source; and this reason also applied to the fish. )1 'עמ ,להלקוטי שיחות כרך (
