Questions tagged [parashat-bereishit]
The weekly Torah portion of Bereshit (Genesis 1:1-6:8)
6
votes
0answers
81 views
Why Abel didn't ask Cain to bring his sacrifice?
The Torah declares that before Matan Torah, the firstborns were responsible for bringing sacrifices and Cohanim replaced them after the Golden Calf incident (Num 3,40):
:וְלָקַחְתָּ אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
Difference between blessing and hallowing in Vaykhulu
We read Vaykhulu three times on the Shabbat eve, which includes the verse Bereishit 2:3:
וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־י֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹת֑וֹ כִּ֣י ב֤וֹ שָׁבַת֙ מִכָּל־מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹ ...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
Why did Cain build a city? [duplicate]
The Torah says (Bereishes 4:17) ‘Cain knew his wife. She conceived and gave birth to Chanoch. Cain was building a city, and he named the city Chanoch, after his son.’
So the obvious question is, if ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Body Parallels to the Creation
Inspired by this question.
Some commentaries viewed maaseh bereishis to be the literal description of the creation, and some interpret it in an allegorical fashion. I recall hearing somewhere that ...
2
votes
0answers
23 views
What was Adam's private name?
Interestingly, in English and other languages, we treat "Adam" as the private name, not as a noun, but in the Torah it is a noun, for example (Ber 2.25):
וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים הָאָדָם ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
Where Ish (איש) comes from and how Adam became Ish?
Adam is called Adam through the whole Torah (I think) except for one time where he calls his wife Ishah to dignify that she was taken from Ish (Ber 2.23):
וַיֹּאמֶר הָאָדָם זֹאת הַפַּעַם עֶצֶם ...
2
votes
2answers
30 views
Cursing Adam and Eve in addition to punishment?
When Adam was commanded not to eat from the tree of knowledge, G-d presented him with the punishment (Ber 2.17):
וּמֵעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע לֹא תֹאכַל מִמֶּנּוּ כִּי בְּיוֹם אֲכָלְךָ מִמֶּנּוּ ...
-1
votes
1answer
43 views
Did G-d and angels appeared dressed or naked to Adam in Eden?
First, we know that Adam and Eve were naked in Eden and didn't feel ashamed (Ber 2.25).
"וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים הָאָדָם וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וְלֹא יִתְבֹּשָׁשׁוּ׃
The two of them were naked, ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
“Amar Rabbi Yitzchak” - Who is Rabbi Yitzchak?
Rashi opens his commentary to the Chumash with the words Amar Rabbi Yitzchak, "Rabbi Yitzchak said." However I am unsure the identity of this Rabbi Yitzchak. I have been unable to find a source for ...
-3
votes
1answer
81 views
Where was Adam when Chava cheated with the snake?
Where Adam was when Chava was sinning with the snake?
For me, it looks that Eden doesn't seem to be a huge place to walk around and Adam was so excited to have a woman by his side, also Adam and ...
0
votes
0answers
40 views
Did Adam and Chava have a house in Eden?
I remember Adam was put in Eden and Chavah was created and they hid in bushes, but I don't recall them building a house or a shelter.
I also remember a Midrash saying G-d made a Chupah for them and ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Why G-d regretted creation of the Man single?
וַיֹּאמֶר ה"א לֹא־טוֹב הֱיוֹת הָאָדָם לְבַדּוֹ אֶעֱשֶׂהּ־לּוֹ עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ׃
God said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a fitting helper for him.” Bereishis 2, 18
As we can ...
0
votes
0answers
12 views
Naming animals - different names for males, females and offspring?
My last question "Adam's about naming taxonomy" wasn't so popular, but it presented my view on the logic of naming the animals.
Acc. to Bereishit_Rabbah.17.4 naming the animals represents the ...
0
votes
0answers
30 views
Were the domesticated animals created domesticated or wild?
"וַיִּצֶר ה"א מִן־הָאֲדָמָה כָּל־חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה וְאֵת כָּל־עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם"
"And the LORD God formed out of the earth
all the wild beasts and
all the birds of the sky..." Bereishis 2,19:
...
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
“Let's make the Man” - isn't the Man the purpose of the creation?
"וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹקים נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ"
And God said, “Let US (plural) make man in our (plural) image, after our (plural) likeness..." Bereshis 1,26
To resolve the apparent ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
Why didn't the Snake kill Adam only and keep Chava for himself?
Tosefta on Soytah (Liehbermann):
"הנחש בקש להרוג את אדם ולישא את חוה"
Rashi on Shabbos 146a:
"כשבא נחש על חוה - כשנתן לה עצה לאכול מן העץ בא עליה
דכתיב (בראשית ג:יג) הנחש השיאני לשון נשואין"
...
1
vote
3answers
77 views
Hashem's will is not “nihilo”, so why is it “creatio ex nihilo”?
The traditional objection is to any material having existed prior to the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, but then why not call it "creation without material"? The will of Hashem is not "nihilo" ...
10
votes
1answer
133 views
How are we to understand the first Rashi in the Torah?
How can we understand the first Rashi in the Torah?
בראשית. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק לֹֹֹֹֹא הָיָה צָרִיךְ לְהַתְחִיל אֶת הַתּוֹרָה אֶלָּא מֵהַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם, שֶׁהִיא מִצְוָה רִאשׁוֹנָה ...
7
votes
2answers
99 views
Tagin on letter Tet
Shalom!
I recently read that in Genesis 1:4, the word Tov is used for the first time and when written in Hebrew, the Tet is crowned with 4 tagin instead of the usual 3. I have been searching for ...
2
votes
0answers
44 views
Order of events in parashas Bereishis
BH
I am having a lot of trouble understanding the order of the following events:
The creation of Man
The births of Cain and Hevel
The death of Hevel
The snake
Eating from the ...
6
votes
1answer
153 views
Why should we be punished for Adam's sin?
My kid asked:
I understand that Adam and Eve violated God's command by eating from the tree of knowledge and thus deserved punishment: as described in Genesis, Adam would have to work for his food ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Was Josef sold in Egypt by the Midianites or the Ishmaelites? [duplicate]
In Bereishit 37:28 it says, "The Midianite traders passed by...and sold him (Josef) to the Ishmaelites..."
In Bereishit 37:36 it says. "Now the Midianites had sold him (Josef) in Egypt to Potiphar..."...
5
votes
1answer
189 views
On the interpretation of Genesis 1: 1
I'm an Italian noahide.
Here are some observations on Genesis 1: 1, about which I would very much like to know your opinion.
1 In most translations I have consulted, the verse is thus render:” In ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
G-d is formless even if we have divine spark
If G-d is formless, how then did He take a piece of Himself and put it in Adom?
And the L-rd G-d formed man of dust from the ground, and He breathed
into his nostrils the soul of life, and man ...
4
votes
0answers
66 views
Did Ralbag's predecessors help him, or make things more difficult for him?
At the end of his commentary to Parshat Bereishit, Ralbag writes that he had difficulty composing his commentary to this parshah because the earlier commentaries practically pushed him away from ...
4
votes
0answers
49 views
Difference Between Shamayim and Rakia
In parshas Berashis, the words Shamayim and Rakia keep on coming up. someone asked me what is the difference between the 2, and I had no idea.
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Understanding the cantillation of Bereshit 5:29 [duplicate]
In Bereshit 5:29 it states
וַיִּקְרָ֧א אֶת־שְׁמ֛וֹ נֹ֖חַ לֵאמֹ֑ר זֶ֠ה יְנַחֲמֵ֤נוּ
In every chumash I have seen the word זה has 2 cantillation marks on it a telisha and a gershayim (according to the ...
1
vote
0answers
35 views
The Aliyot in Parshat Bereisheet
According to the Hertz (Soncino Press) chumash, the aliyot for Bereisheet are (excuse my poor formatting)
Aliyah...…. begins at
2...…………..1:14
3...………….1:24
4...…………..2:4
5...…………..3:22
6......
4
votes
1answer
81 views
What sources say that Kayin inspired Hevel to bring an offering?
I've heard the idea that Kayin was the one who inspired his brother Hevel to bring an offering to Hashem (Genesis Chapter 4). One possible place I saw this was from Rabbi David Fohrman, although I don'...
2
votes
1answer
106 views
What was the size of the כָּתְנוֹת עוֹר?
What was the size of the כָּתְנוֹת עוֹר (garments of skins for Adam and his wife) (Genesis 3:21)?
By "size", I mean, was the garment just covering the area that an underwear would cover, or was it a ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Why does Rashi specifically tell us his interpretation method on 3:8?
In Bereishis 3:8, Rashi makes the following comment about his method of interpretation:
וישמעו. יֵשׁ מִדְרְשֵׁי אַגָּדָה רַבִּים וּכְבָר סִדְּרוּם רַבּוֹתֵינוּ עַל מְכוֹנָם בִּבְ"רַ וּבִשְׁאָר ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Which sources tell how Eve got to know they could not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil?
The command not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil is given to Adam in 2(17) before the creation of Eve.
In 3(3) and with Rashi's comments we read that Eve knew of the prohibition.
...
3
votes
3answers
202 views
Beresheit 3:21: What was the material Hashem used to cover Adam and Chava?
I'm seeking a general consensus on what material Hashem used to clothe Adam and Chava. I realize there are various translations stating they were leather or animal skins. Commentaries range from ...
1
vote
3answers
92 views
Don't Touch: Fruit of the tree versus Non-kosher corpses
The Hizkuni on Bereshies 3:3, where Chava tells the serpent that they can't TOUCH or eat from the Eitz, writes
ולא תגעו בו. לאכלו, כמו ובנבלתם לא תגעו (ויקרא יא ח), לפי הפשט. והאמת כל המוסיף ...
4
votes
1answer
118 views
Is there any significance to the age at which Methuselah died?
Bresheit 5:27 records the death of Methuselah as 969 years. His is the longest lifespan recorded in the Torah. Is there any meaning for his death at such an age, or is there significance to the ...
3
votes
1answer
66 views
Men's Earth vs. Women's Bone
Someone recently mentioned to me that there is a Chazal saying אדם was created from עפר which gets hot quickly but doesn’t retain the heat too long, while women were created from bone which takes ...
3
votes
1answer
40 views
Is there any significance in the distinction between Avos d’Rebbi Nassan and Bereishis Rabbah regarding Chavah and the snake?
In Avos d’Rebbi Nassan 1:5, as quoted and linked by DanF here, when Chavah told the snake that Hashem commanded them not to touch nor eat from the Etz HaDa’as, the snake touched the tree, saying, “...
5
votes
2answers
837 views
What does Judaism teach about Eve's addition to divine commandment that she not touch the fruit?
In Genesis 2:17 we read:
But of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it, for on the day that you eat thereof, you shall surely die."
Later, during Eve's temptation, we read:
...
1
vote
1answer
127 views
Birthmarks - What are they?
I personally have a Mongolian birthmark that consumes half my chest and right leg. I've heard of Mongolian birthmarks being indicators of someone being Jewish. But otherwise, it's just a mark.
...
0
votes
1answer
90 views
Which of the three forbidden fruits was the opinion of the Arizal; grapes, wheat or figs and why?
We were asked earlier this week about what the Arizal's opinion was on which forbidden fruit was on the Etz HaDaat. Does anyone know what it might be?
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Which of Adam’s sons married which of his daughters?
According to Rashi to Bereishis 4:1-2, Kayin was born with a twin sister, and Hevel was born with two triplet sisters. As Rashi to Vayikra 20:17 explains, Kayin married his sister in order that the ...
3
votes
1answer
72 views
How did Hevel acquire his flock?
In Bereishit 4:2-4 we read that Hevel was a keeper of sheep and that he offered from the firstlings of his flock. How did he come to acquire the flock? Did he have to trap them and domesticate them or ...
1
vote
2answers
111 views
How could Kayin have married his sister, if it was prohibited?
The Rambam writes in Melachim uMilchamot (Ch. 9) that six different mitzvot were given to Adam. One of these mitzvot is the prohibition of incest and adultery.
The Gemara (Sanhedrin 38b) says that ...
2
votes
0answers
49 views
Does Hashem create a Michshol?
There is a Jewish law forbidding putting a michshol, a stumbling block, in front of a blind person. This is extended also to mean that one should not lead others into sin, including providing the ...
2
votes
0answers
51 views
Was Adam allowed to eat the meat of an animal which he did not kill?
The Gemara in SANHEDRIN 59b says:
אמר רב יהודה אמר רב אדם הראשון לא הותר לו בשר לאכילה דכתיב (בראשית א, כט) לכם יהיה לאכלה ולכל חית הארץ ולא חית הארץ לכם
§ Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: Meat was ...
5
votes
2answers
110 views
Cursing other opinions
In Bereishit Rabbah 26:5 we read רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי מְקַלֵּל לְכָל מַאן דְּקָרֵא לְהוֹן בְּנֵי אֱלָהַיָּא -- that R. Shim'on Bar Yochai cursed anyone who interpreted Bereishit 6:2 as ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Adam and Chava's lack of repentance
I searched but did not find this exact question. Were Adam and Chava's expulsion also in part due to their lack of repentance or was it specifically because of their disobedience?
1
vote
1answer
46 views
Understanding Bereshit 1:30
Bereshit 1:30 says
וּֽלְכָל־חַיַּ֣ת הָ֠אָרֶץ וּלְכָל־ע֨וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם וּלְכֹ֣ל ׀ רוֹמֵ֣שׂ עַל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ֙ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֔ה אֶת־כָּל־יֶ֥רֶק עֵ֖שֶׂב לְאָכְלָ֑ה וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
And to ...
2
votes
1answer
229 views
When was water created?
Bereishit 1 goes into detail on when and how Hashem created various things in creation. One thing I notice though is that there is no specific detail on how or when water was created. It just sort of "...
2
votes
2answers
113 views
Oldest Tree and Creation
Since it can be shown that there is a tree over 9,500 years old https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416104320.htm , and according to the dates in the Torah, mankind has been around for ...
