Next Reading
Torah Reading
Genesis 1:1-6:8
Haftarah
I Samuel 20:18-42 | Shabbat Machar Chodesh
In this Torah portion, God creates the world. After Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, they are banished from the Garden of Eden. Later Cain kills Abel. God then considers destroying all of Creation.
Featured Commentary
The banishing of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden marks the beginning of humanity’s path to fulfilling its destiny.
Adam's naming of the animals raises complex issues, including the deeper meanings of our names.
How do we, like Adam and Eve, hide from taking responsibility for our decisions and actions?
Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson
We should view the diversity of creation as existing to reflect the grandeur of God, not to serve the various needs of humans.
Experiencing God through nature and the wonders of creation should inspire us to work to perfect the world.
Adam and Eve's original relationship in which they were together as one flesh yet still distinct provides us with an ideal model.
Humanity's dominion over the earth must be for the sake of the Divine.
Recognizing that Creation and many natural phenomena are clouded in mystery can actually enrich our lives with meaning.
Noah's father saw in him the possibility for greatness -- something parents experience even today.
Our physical existence depends on spiritual, sacred focus for completeness.
God created forgiveness before anything in the physical universe because human beings are bound to err.
Not giving in to temptations helps us to clarify our values and stick to our convictions.
To complement the creation of the world, a promise of redemption.
