Tag: Torah reading 002

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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 3:14-24 — Curses for Man, Woman & Serpent

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/080927%20Genesis%203vv14-24%20-%20Curses%20on%20Man,%20Woman,%20Serpent.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:00 — )Subscribe: RSS  The curses on Adam, Eve and the Serpent are well-known but misunderstood. For example, how many snakes eat dirt? Is a husband to be a dictator for his wife? The original language of Gen. 3:14-24 holds the answers.

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 3:7–14 — Adam’s & Eve’s eyes opened to their ‘nakedness,’ shame covered by prophetic fig leaves

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/080906%20Genesis%203vv7-14.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:04 — 9.5MB)Subscribe: RSSWhy do the fig tree show up in the Genesis 3 account of Adam and Eve’s decision to pursue knowledge of good and evil? What does the fig tree symbolize throughout the Bible?

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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.