Parshat Bereshit
Rabbi David Laor
Author | |
Date Added | |
Automatically create summary | |
Summary |
Shabbat shalom!
And once again, Letachil miBereshit… like the song of Noemi Shemer… we begin from Bereshit… The Beginning… this first portion of the Torah has so many ideas and topics to discuss, that a whole life would not be enough to read and discuss all of them, by just having readings once a year. According to the Hebrew calendar, we just remembered a couple of days ago at Simchat Torah, “the date” one year ago, when this war in Israel began. Ribono shel Olam!, who would had believed that this war continues even in this precise moments... One year ago and one week later, during those difficult days, Smadar Bilik, from congregation Yozma at Modiin in Israel, shared with me her thoughts and feelings about the terrible events of October the 7th. As a student at the HUC, she wrote precisely about Parashat Bereshit, and I would like to share those thoughts and feelings with you tonight.
"בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י תְה֑וֹם וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם׃ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים יְהִ֣י א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־אֽוֹר׃ - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was void and darkness, on the face of the abyss; and the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. And God said: “let there be light” and there was light". These are the first three verses of the Book of Genesis that we read this week opening the Torah scroll this year. Darkness was the first thing that appears in Genesis, but light is the first thing that was actually created. Light is the first thing that our eye is naturally drawn to.
The human eye, the delicate and complex organ that allows us to see, has developed and shaped itself over millions of years of evolution, while refining the role of each mechanism and each nerve, and this in order to allow us to absorb, process and digest the variety of images of so called, reality in front of us. One of the abilities developed in the eye is the ability to see at night. In our eye there are two mechanisms that allow vision - even if of poor quality - in a situation of almost total darkness. The more familiar mechanism is the expansion and contraction of the pupil, to allow more light to enter the eye as it gets darker. A less well-known mechanism is the presence of two types of light receptors in the retina - one for day vision and the other for night vision. In order to allow us to see even when the light is dim, the receptors responsible for night vision are in the eye in an amount 60 times greater than those responsible for day vision.
Since the night receptors adapt to the darkness gradually, our night vision sharpens precisely as the darkness around is more complete and prolonged. With the full potential of night vision, the human eye can distinguish in the dark very faint light sources, up to a thousand times weaker than those absorbed by it in daylight! A real wonder! Like in the physiological system of the eye, I wonder if our mental system also has a mechanism that allows us to recognize the flickering light in the heavy darkness. In a similar way, are there mechanisms in our social circles that allow us to absorb the light, even the faintest, precisely during periods of darkness?
Science may not be able to characterize the light receptors of the soul, which are especially sensitive in the dark, but I believe they are there. Everyone who has fought against darkness and evil, every man and woman who has survived a trauma, everyone who has found meaning in mourning, and everyone who has grown out of the pain will bear witness to them. All of us.
The mind, like the body, is capable of scarring. Cover the open wound slowly, so that it is not exposed all the time. 'Enfolding my soul' (as written in the book of Jonah) - these are the blood platelets of the soul, which build the sheath that prevents the blood from continuing to flow. But the soul is almost never scarred alone. The scar tissue is not as immune as normal skin tissue, and requires additional protection. The soul needs a network of sympathetic souls who echo the grief and struggles.
Although science may not be able to characterize the light receptors of society, of the family, of the community, of the people - I believe they are there. The rituals, prayers, stories and songs will bear witness to them - all human means of expression were designed to give meaning to suffering and meaning to a shared story. Hundreds of packages for donation being packed, thousands of meals for the soldiers being cooked, millions of calls and messages of concern and compassion will testify to them. The fact that we are here, in the synagogue and at home, but together, groping for the light - in the midst of a terrible war, whose sole purpose is to sow fear and darkness, will testify to them.
The operation of the light receptors in the eye is a simple biological and physical fact. But the light receptors of the soul, of the community, of the people - these are more elusive. Many times they are not attracted to the light but rather to the darkness. Our mental light receptors are not a fact – they are a task. These days, it is an ongoing task. Time after time we are required, and we will be required, to look into the darkness, and turn our eyes back to the light. To avert our eyes from the news to our family and community members, to avert our eyes from disinformation on the Internet, fake news and political bickering, to our men and women soldiers, to avert our eyes from the terrible videos so as not to scar the soul any more, so as not to blind its light receptors.
Everyone who donated money for Israel, who packed packages for the home and the soldiers during this last year of war, everyone who participated in Israel in a funeral or a shivah, or that felt the pain watching it, in front of a video or TV News program… everyone who picked up the phone to a family member or community member who was shocked, in pain and worried, and everyone who chose to be in community with us here today… NOW, in the synagogue and at home in zoom - you all have chosen to train your soul to see light – as the Israeli song says: LAALOT GAVOAH, LIROT ET HAOR – To climb very high, to see the light. You have all chosen to train our community and our people in the light of support, resilience, comfort and LOVE.
In Psalm 36 it is expressed so beautifully: “8 How precious is Your faithful care, O God! Mankind shelters in the shadow of Your wings. 10 כִּֽי־עִ֭מְּךָ מְק֣וֹר חַיִּ֑ים בְּ֝אוֹרְךָ֗ נִרְאֶה־אֽוֹר׃ - KI IMJA - Because With You is the fountain of life; by Your light we see the light”. The sages say: “Do not read IMJA - “with you” – but AMJA – “your people”… so we read: “Because Your people is the fountain of life; by Your light we see the light”. We are ALL together, the source of light for ourselves.
We begin another journey from Bereshit, may it be a journey of peace and blessing. Ken yehi Ratzon.. so may it be His will. Amen.
Shabat Shalom!
Rabbi David Laor
October 25th 2024
Thu, December 5 2024
4 Kislev 5785
Rabbi's Sermons
Bereshit - Genesis
- Parshat Bereshit: Oct. 26, 2019, October 1, 2021, October 2, 2021, October 25, 2024
- Parshat Noah: Nov. 2, 2019, October 8, 2021, Oct. 29, 2022, Nov. 1, 2024
- Parshat Lekh-L'kha: Nov. 9, 2019, Oct. 31, 2020, Oct. 31, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 15, 2021, Nov. 8, 2024
- Parshat Vayeira: Nov. 16, 2019, Nov. 7, 2020, Nov. 7, 2020 - Part 2, Oct. 22, 2021, Oct. 23, 2021, Nov.15, 2024
- Parshat Hayei Sara: Nov. 14, 2020, Oct. 30, 2021, Nov. 22, 2024
- Parshat Toldot: Nov. 30, 2019, Nov. 21, 2020, Nov. 6, 2021
- Parshat Vayeitzei: Nov. 28, 2020, Nov. 13, 2021
- Parshat Vayishlah: Dec. 14, 2019 , Dec. 5, 2020, November 20, 2021
- Parshat Vayeisheiv: Dec. 12, 2020, Nov. 27, 2021
- Parshat Miketz: Dec. 4, 2021
- Parshat Vayigash: Jan. 4, 2020, Dec. 26, 2020, Dec. 11, 2021
- Parshat Vay'hi: Jan. 11, 2020, Jan. 2, 2021
Shemot-Exodus
- Parshat Sh'mot: Jan. 18, 2020, Jan. 18, 2020 - Part 2, Jan. 9, 2021
- Parshat Va'eira: Jan. 25, 2021
- Parshat Bo: Feb. 1, 2020, Jan. 23, 2021
- Parshat B'shalah: Jan. 30, 2021, Jan. 15, 2022, Feb. 3, 2023, Feb.4, 2023
- Parshat Yitro: Feb. 15, 2020, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 6, 2021, Feb. 21, 2022, Feb. 22, 2022
- Parshat Mishpatim: Feb. 22, 2020, Feb. 18, 2023
- Parshat T'rumah: Feb. 29, 2020, Feb. 29, 2020 - Part 2, Feb. 20, 2021, Feb. 4, 2022, Feb. 5, 2022, Feb. 25, 2023
- Parshat T'tzaveh: March 7, 2020, Feb. 27, 2021, Feb. 12, 2022, Feb. 11, 2022
- Parshat Ki Tisa: March 14, 2020, March 6, 2021, February 19, 2022
- Parshot Vayak'heil-P'kudei: March 21, 2020, March 13, 2021, February 26, 2022, March 18, 2023
Vayikra-Leviticus
- Parshat Vayikra: March 20, 2021, March 11, 2022, March 24, 2023, March 25, 2023
- Parshat Tzav: April 4, 2020, March 27, 2021, March 19, 2022
- Parshat Sh'mini: April 18, 2020
- Parshot Tazria-Metzora: April 25, 2020, April 17, 2021, April 2, 2022, April 20, 2024
- Parshot Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: May 2, 2020, April 24, 2021, May 7, 2022, May 3, 2024, May 10, 2024
- Emor: May 9, 2020, May 1, 2021, May 13, 2022, May 14, 2022, May 6, 2023
- Parshot B'har-B'hukotai: May 8, 2019, May 16, 2020, May 7, 2021, May 21, 2022, May 28, 2022, May 24, 2024, May 31, 2024
Bamidbar-Numbers
- Parshat Bamidbar: May 15, 2021, May 20, 2023, June 7, 2024
- Parshat Nasso: June 6, 2020, June 6, 2020 - Part 2, May 22, 2021, June 10, 2022, June 2, 2023, June 14, 2024
- Parshat B'ha'alotcha: June 13, 2020, June 13, 2020 - Part 2, June 9, 2023, June 10, 2023, June 21, 2024
- Parshat Sh'lach: June 20, 2020, June 20, 2020 - Part 2, June 5, 2021, June 28, 2024
- Parshat Korah: June 27, 2020, July 18, 2020, July 24, 2023, July 5, 2024
- Parshot Chukat-Balak: June 26, 2021, July 12, 2024, July 19, 2024
- Parshat Pinchas: July 11, 2020, July 11, 2020 - Part 2, July 2, 2021, July 3, 2021, July 22, 2022, July 23, 2022, July 26, 2024
- Parshot Matot-Masei: July 18, 2020, July 18, 2020 - Part 2, July 10, 2021, July 30, 2022, August 2, 2024
D'varim-Deuteronomy
- Parshat D'varim: July 25, 2020, July 25, 2020 - Part 2, July 17, 2021, August 6, 2022, August 9, 2024
- Parshat Va'et'hanan: Aug. 1, 2020, July 24, 2021, August 12, 2022, August 13, 2022, Aug. 16, 2024
- Parshat Eikev: Aug. 8, 2020, July 31, 2021, August 19, 2022, August 20, 2022
- Parshat Re'eh: August 7, 2021, August 30, 2024
- Parshat Shoftim: September 7, 2019, Aug. 22, 2020, August 14, 2021, August 14, 2021 - Part 2, September 3, 2022, September 6, 2024
- Parshat Ki Teitzei: Aug. 29, 2020, August 20, 2021, September 13, 2024
- Parshat Ki Tavo: Sept. 5, 2020, Sept. 5, 2020 - Part 2, August 28, 2021, Sept. 17, 2022, Sept. 20, 2024
- Parshot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Sept. 11, 2021, September 24, 2022, Sept. 27,2024
- Parshat Ha'Azinu: Sept. 26, 2020, October 4, 2024
- Parshat Haberakhah
Rosh HaShanah: Sept. 19, 2020, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 2, Sept. 19, 2020 - Part 3, Sept. 20, 2020, Sept. 7, 2021, Sept. 8, 2021, Sept. 9, 2021, Sept. 26, 2022, Oct 2, 2024
Yom Kippur: Sept. 28, 2020, Sept. 16, 2021, October 5, 2022
Sukkot: Oct. 3, 2020 , Sept. 20, 2021, Oct. 16,2024, Oct. 18, 2024
Passover: April 3, 2021, April 23, 2022, April 7, 2023, April 12, 2023 April 27, 2024
Rosh Hodesh: April 22, 2023
Friday Night
Candle Lighting : 4:51pm |
: 7:30pm |
Shabbat Day
: 10:00am |
: 1:30pm |
Havdalah : 5:59pm |
Board Games : 6:00pm |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Dec 10 1st Wednesday Learning Group Tuesday, Dec 10 10:30am |
Dec 25 ııııİıııi Wednesday, Dec 25 4:59pm |
Dec 26 ııııİııii Thursday, Dec 26 5:00pm |
Dec 27 ııııİıiii Friday, Dec 27 4:58pm |
Dec 28 ııııİiiii Motzei Shabbat, Dec 28 6:10pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parshat Vayetzei
Shabbat, Dec 7 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Dec 6, 4:51pm |
Havdalah
Motzei Shabbat, Dec 7, 5:59pm |
Erev Chanukah
Wednesday, Dec 25 |