Tag: Genesis 02

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Discussions Torah

Eden’s two trees: Paths of life and death (Genesis 2–3)

Eden's two trees: Paths of life and death (Genesis 2-3)

It could be easy to dismiss as myth the Bible account of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2–3). Can god-like wisdom come from eating fruit from a special tree? How could the fate of humanity be tipped toward toil and sorrow just because Adam and Eve selected fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad versus the Tree of Life?

But this passage from the beginning of the Book of Beginning — בְּרֵאשִׁית Beresheet (“in the beginning,” Gen. 1:1–6:8) really directs us to the key question the Creator asked the first couple before and after their fruit selection: Will you choose life or choose death? Appeal, similar to what Moshe posed in Deut. 30:19 and what’s seen in the Book of Revelation, was presented physically in the form of two trees, both of which the Holy One created.

And this choice of the path toward life versus the path toward death is one that each of us have to keep making from one moment to the next.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 1:1–6:8: God commanded, but why should I listen?

If you were to chop off Genesis 1–5, you would not be able to competently answer this about the instructions and teachings of the Father and Messiah: “Why should I do that?” Two-thirds of children from Christian homes will walk away from their faith to varying degrees, and one of the main reasons for that fall off is they are not given honest answers about the authority of the Scriptures.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 1:1–6:8: The Creator shows why to ‘have no other gods before [Him]’

Fresco of God creating the sun, moon and stars. Fanefjord Church, Møn, Denmark.

Some Bible versions translate Gen. 1:1 as “In the beginning, God created…” or “In the beginning of God’s creating the heavens and the earth….” בְּרֵאשִׁית Bereysheet (Genesis) is not a science book. It is not designed to teach you how God created anything. The purpose of the beginning of Bereisheet is to teach us who God is, what He did and how powerful He is, much like Devarim (Deuteronomy) starts with reminding the people who God is and why the Ten Commandments say to have no other gods before Him.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 2:8-17: The good, the bad and the two trees of Eden

God gives us free will and the option of choosing the good, which leads to righteousness and eternal life, or the bad, which leads to evil and eternal death.

God gave Adam several profound responsibilities: tending the Garden of Eden; naming the animals and choosing between the Tree of Life v. the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad.

Adam made the wrong choice. All of us as Adam’s heirs also have a similar choice to make. God gives each of us us free will to choose the good, which leads to righteousness and eternal life or we can choose the bad which leads to evil and eternal death.

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Discussions Shabbat Torah

Genesis 1:26-2:8: The Sacred Pause: Discovering Shabbat as a Divine Invitation

The graphic shows a peaceful, dreamlike scene of a man and a woman resting close together, their eyes gently closed, surrounded by lush green foliage. They appear serene, symbolizing tranquility and connection. The text overlaid reads, "The Sacred Pause: Discovering Shabbat as a Divine Invitation" in a flowing, elegant font. In the lower right corner, the logo "hallel.info" is displayed, adding a subtle branding element to the image. The colors are soft and harmonious, emphasizing a calm, restful atmosphere.

The last two things God created was the Shabbat/Sabbath and the Garden of Eden. God did not create the Shabbat because He was exhausted or tired. Rather, He wanted to set aside a day for mankind to have a special time with Him. Also some are confused about the creation narratives of Gen. 1 and Gen. 2 but a careful reading of each shows us that Gen. 2 focuses specifically on the creation of mankind and the special Garden called Eden that was made by God as mankind’s primary residence.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 2:25 – 3:1 — ‘naked,’ ‘ashamed,’ ‘serpent’ & ‘subtle’

Unknown to the English reader, the original Hebrew words for Gen. 2:25 and Gen. 3:1 contain a word play with root words translated as “naked,” “ashamed,” “serpent” and “cunning.” Some have made fun of this description as one of the first nudist colony or claimed that the first couple were really clothed with light. Yet there is a vital lesson in the nakedness.