Rabbi Sacks’ essay on Bereishit is painfully pertinent and poignant, coming for this week’s parashah.  He quotes Rashi, who wrote that the parashah should have begun with “This month shall be to you the first of months (Exodus 12:2)” instead of “In the beginning”.  In fact the commentary references that the whole earth belongs to God, Who chose us.  Rabbi Sacks continues to state that Judaism is not only about personal salvation but also collective, or communal salvation.  Furthermore, when we consider political conflict, we must use political arguments; The Jewish people are challenged in claiming a right to a land based on a God Who is worshipped by 3 broad religious groups….