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Torah Portion: PARSHAS BERESHIS

		PARSHAS BERESHIS By: Rabbi Osher Jungreis

SHABBOS MEVORCHIM This Shabbos we bless the New Month of Cheshvan. Rosh Chodesh is celebrated on Sunday, October 26 and Monday, October 27. PARSHAS BERESHIS Beginnings are always exciting. And so, as we once again commence the Book of Genesis, we express our appreciation to HaShem for the privilege of studying His Holy Torah. We ask that He open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to the Divine wisdom hidden in His sacred words. By following our weekly newsletters, you will be able to gather Torah wisdom from each and every parsha. May I suggest that you share these insights with your family and friends at your Shabbos table. In this parsha, G-d invites Adam to identify each and every creature created by Him and to give them names that would reflect their essence (Genesis 21:2) Adam had incredible insight and was able to perceive the function of everything that G-d brought before him. Thus, when he assigned names to the various animals, he revealed their true natures. For example, when he called the dog “kelev”, which, literally translated means “like a heart” - he taught us that the dog can be a loyal friend. G-d also challenged him to define himself by finding an appropriate name for himself, for if a man is to fulfill his mission, if he is to realize his potential, then first and foremost, he must recognize his strengths and weaknesses. And so Adam called himself “Adam” - meaning that G-d fashioned him from “adama” - the earth. This designation is rather puzzling, for it is written that man was created in the image of G-d - that G-d breathed life into him (Genesis 2:7), and the breath of G-d became the soul of man. So why didn’t Adam call himself “Neshama” - “soul”, rather than “Adam “- “earth”? Adam, with his amazing insight, understood that, no matter how spiritual a man may be, he is nevertheless steeped in the physical and material world, and precisely because of that is vulnerable. Temptations surround him and in a moment, he can forfeit his spirituality. The slightest wind can blow him away and he can fall to the depths of the abyss. Therefore, he must be forever vigilant and protect the Divine spark with which G-d endowed him. Moreover, precisely because his soul is the breath of G-d, he must be careful not to sully it and be ever mindful that he is also “Adam” - made of earth. We see this teaching reinforced in our Yom Kippur services as well. Yom Kippur is our holiest day, on which we refrain from eating and drinking... from everything that is physical and material. And yet, at the afternoon mincha service, as the day draws to its close, the Torah reading deals with the laws of sexual morality. Once again we are reminded that our physical world is fraught with danger - there are so many allurements to which we may fall prey, and therefore, we must be constantly alert and safeguard our neshamas by living Torah moral lives. Unfortunately, in our world, very little attention is given to our spiritual well being. Most of our activities involve the physical and the material. Our neshamas - souls, have become deprived, but one of the best ways to sustain them, and enhance our spirituality, is through Torah study. As the New Year begins, make a commitment to join is at one of our many classes. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Osher Shabbos Bereshis 28 Tishrei, 5764 Candle Lighting Time, Fri. October 24, 2003 5:43 PM Sabbath ends, Saturday evening, Oct. 25, 6:55 PM _______________________________________________________________ Join us for an inspiring SHABBAT DINNER at the HINENI HERITAGE CENTER Friday evening, Oct. 31 Reservations a must! Call 212-496-1660