Parashat Bereshit

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I will use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh1.Jewish Publication Society (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected as it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Eloleichem) which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).

I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8. (JPS).

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Parashat Bereshit

Bereshit - Genesis Chapter 1 verse 1 to Chapter 5 verse 32.

 

                           With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

“And on the seventh day אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And אֱלֹהִים blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which אֱלֹהִים in creating had made.” Bereshit - Genesis 2:2-3 (Jewish Publication Society” (JPS) version of the Torah).

The Torah tells us that אֱלֹהִים completed His creation on the seventh day, and He then rested on what has become the, and our blessed “Shabbat”.

Thus did Elohim, blessed be He, create anything on Shabbat? And what does really mean when it states “And on the seventh day אֱלֹהִים finished His work”. Should it not have said that He completed His work on the sixth day?  The question is how can we address this issue. “What was the world lacking on or for the seventh day Shabbat came it was “menucha”, and when that came then the work was completed and finished.

The truth is that אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, blessed be His Sanctified Name, did indeed create something on or for the Shabbat, and that was the concept of מְנוּחָה - “menucha” (rest, peace and quiet).

This teaches us an important point, one may have thought that the concept of ‘rest’ is as a passive mode of behaviour, and not something that needs to be created, however, we see from this, that the Torah’s concept of ‘menucha’ is something that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim created by refraining from regular ‘melacha’ (work or creating). Accordingly, Elohim’s rest was not merely refraining from creative activity; rather it also involved a cessation of activity that ‘enabled’ Him to, so to speak, to reflect and to appreciate the fruits of the incredible activity of the previous six days.

As we know, by ‘resting’ on Shabbos we emulate אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s original ‘rest’. We should learn that the ‘Shabbat menucha’ (Sabbath rest) that we are required to participate in does not simply mean that we should not do any melacha (work), rather it requires an active effort. What does this active effort involve? Just like אֱלֹהִים stepped back and reflected upon all His work of the previous six days, so too we are supposed to actively contemplate our achievements of the previous six days and appreciate what we have achieved spiritually, have we done all we should have. Did we keep Kosher, Say our daily prayers, and Say the blessing before and after our meals, and lit the Shabbat candles, etc, etc? Thus an important aspect of Shabbat is contemplation of where we are going in life which should enable us to enter the next week as growing individual’s, and hopefully encouraging our mishpachot to do the same and אֱלֹהִים willing join you at Shul!

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 In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:

Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?

Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים -  בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is always there and ready to help and guide you!

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PLEASE NOTE: If you need any assistance, just ask, I help, and I can also send an email to you, special items to help you with whatever you may need! Just email me and I will send it to your email, There will no follow up’s whatsoever, or any requests from me, unless you wish further information, (use the email s further down this page).

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance! For interest, as you may have discovered, this site has become very much a teaching one!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via a number of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your Eloheichem); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

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