Parashah Roundup: Bereishis 5770

by Steve Brizel

(Two years of Parashah Roundups! Congratulations Steve and thank you. -Gil)

Adam I and Adam II

Rav Soloveitchik ZTL discusses the two creation passages in the Torah and the difference between majestic man and covenantal man and the spiritual message of Breishis: link 1, link 2 (audio)

R. Dr. Abraham J. Twerski urges us to remember that each of us have talents, strengths and personality features that help form unique spiritual personalities: link

Click here for moreAn Overview of Sefer Breishis

R. Yitzchak Etshalom , based upon Rashi's famous first comment and answer as a means of discusses the role of Sefer Breishis and when it was presented to the Jewish People: link (PDF)

R. Berel Wein explains why Sefer Breishis is the book of mankind: link

R. Sir Jonathan Sacks explains why Sefer Breishis is the key to understanding man's choice, freedom and responsibility: link

R. Yissocher Frand reminds us that we must internalize the message of the first Rashi and based upon the teachings of R Reuven Margolius and his understanding of Sanhedrin 38b, offers an explanation why the difficulties of raising children precedes the difficulties in bearing children: link

The Nesivos Shalom, as elucidated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, suggests that Sefer Breishis teaches us that purification of one's midos was a condition precedent to Kabalas HaTorah: link

R. Eytan Feiner explores many aspects of Maaseh Breishis: link

R Ephraim Buchwald, based upon the writings of Professor Nachum Sarna, contrasts Breishis with the ancient Babylonian creation epic of Enuma Elish: link

R. Baruch Simon explains the correlation between the beginning and the end of the Torah: link (audio)

Zmanim in Halacha

R. Hershel Schachter discusses Halachos as Bein HaShashmashos, halachos relatiing to the time of day and a shiur mil: link (audio)

Shabbos

R. Asher Weiss discusses the halachic and hashkafic aspects of the recitation of Vayechulu on Leil Shabbos: link (audio)

R. Zvi Sobolofsjky exhorts us to incorporate Tosefes Shabbos not only with respect to our Shmiras Shabbos, but as a model for all of our Avodas HaShem throughout the year: link

The Expulsion of Adam and Eve From the Garden of Eve

R. Avraham Gordimer discusses the consequences of the expulsion of Adam and Eve and the resulting changes and challenges presented by their actions: link 1, link 2

R. Shlomoh Riskin explains why Adam and Eve did not die immediately: link

R. Dovid Horwitz compares Breishis 4 and Tehilim 39: link

The First Homicide

R. Aharon Lichtenstein shows how the dispute between Cain and Abel was rooted in an egocentric approach to Avodas HaShem: link

R Ezra Bick analyzes the personalities of Cain and Abel and the actions of Cain: link

R. David Horwitz explores the roots of the conflict between Cain and Abel: link

Human Longevity in Parshas Breishis and Parshas Noach

R. Avraham Gordimer surveys a number of interpretations offered as to the change in human longevity after the generation of the flood: link

The Beginning of the End

R. Dovid Gottlieb discusses the events leading to the flood: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)