Rabbi Cohen writes about Hachnasat Orchim – the responsibility to welcome guests. He cites Avot 3:7, which teaches that the divine presence is found in our relationships with others. Yet hospitality can be challenging, especially in a world of isolation and marginalization.
Rabbi Sacks comments on the challenge in interpreting the meaning of Adonai, in chapter 18 verse 1, verse 3, and in chapter 19 verse 2. The first instance uses the Tetragrammaton, verbalized Adonai, while the 2nd and 3rd instances use the word Adonai spelled out. Yet in all 3, it seems that G-d is the one doing the speaking.
Rabbi Bergadine considers the literal meaning of the first 2 words – lech lecha- go forth for yourself. She quote Rashi, who interpreted the phrase as ‘going forth for your own benefit’. She asks if we have made the effort to benefit all of ourselves – the “body work” as well as the “soul work”.
I am El Shaddai. Walk in My ways and be tamim. Please follow the link below to read Rabbi Barenblat’s poem what it means to be “pure”
Rabbi Sacks addresses the ambiguity of Terah and Abraham. Terah worshipped idols, but took the first steps towards a new homeland and life. Abraham broke with the pattern of idolatry, risking disrespect for his father, and completed Torah’s journey.
Rabbi Zamek drashes on the selection of species to be included in the Ark, commenting that if most of us had a choice, we would have excluded certain life forms, such as leeches or cockroaches. As he states, this perspective reflects only our own personal interests, without considering the well-being of the entire world that was created.
Rabbi Barenblat composes a beautiful poem on the theme of understanding.
Rabbi Sacks compares the morality in the Flood narrative to Games theory. He cites The Prisoner’s Dilemma, a model invented in 1950, demonstrating that cooperation produces a better outcome for both parties. He carries this discussion forward to ultimately demonstrate that the first moral principle in the Torah is the first moral principle to be scientifically demonstrated.
Over All of These (Al Kol Eleh) על כל אלה
Rabbi Weiss states that our world can itself be a mixture of chaos and void, considering global warming, warfare around the world, societal divides. Parashat Bereishit teaches us that chaos and darkness are frequently the precursor to transformational change, rather than the conclusion of our story. In the Torah, God calls the light out; in our daily lives we need to be our own source of transformation.