Wednesday, October 14, 2009

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)

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