Breisheet (in the beginning) Torah Portion 1 Genesis 1:1–6:8

Background:  Elohim has existed from eternity past when He began creating the world as we know it.  The angels were created before mankind and had not rebelled against Elohim at the time of creation.  The earth was not a sphere nor did it have a surface.  These were not needed for beings that are not affected by gravity.  It was not until Elohim began to create a habitation for animals and man who needed a surface to walk on and food to eat that a new structure needed to be formed.

Breisheet = In the Beginning

Events in this Torah portion:

  • In the Beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth.
  • The earth became formless and void (fall of hasatan and the angels who followed him).
  • Elohim created the light of Torah and separated the light from the darkness.
  • Elohim separated between the waters beneath and the waters above the firmament.
  • Elohim called the firmament Heaven. (2nd day)
  • Elohim gathered the waters into seas and the dry land appeared. Let the earth sprout vegetation yielding seed and fruit trees yielding fruit containing its own seed. (3rd day)
  • Elohim said let there be lights in the heaven to separate between day and night and let them be for signs, festivals, days and years. (4th day)
  • Elohim created the fish and birds. (5th day)
  • Elohim said let the earth bring forth animals and Elohim said, “Let us create man in our image and after our likeness.” (6th day)
  • Elohim rested on the seventh day and blessed and sanctified it.
  • Review of creation or foreshadow of future renewed creation.
  • Elohim formed man of the dust of the earth and breathed into him the soul of life.
  • Yahweh planted a garden in Eden and placed man there.
  • Yahweh sprouted trees, the Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.
  • A river came from Eden and split into four rivers.
  • Yahweh placed man in the garden commanding him not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.
  • Yahweh Elohim said it is not good for man to be alone and brought animals for Adam to name.
  • Yahweh Elohim put Adam to sleep and removed a rib and formed Chavah (Eve).
  • The serpent tempted Chavah, and she ate and gave to Adam and he ate.
  • Yahweh Elohim called to them in the garden and they hid from Him.
  • Yahweh Elohim pronounced judgment on all three of them and banished them from the garden.
  • Cain and Abel were born; Abel offered his best to Yahweh but Cain did not.
  • Cain killed Abel and Yahweh pronounced judgment on Cain that he would be a wanderer and the ground would no longer produce for him.
  • Yahweh put a mark on Cain so that no one would kill him.
  • Cain knew his wife and had children.
  • Cain’s descendant Lamech killed a man (Cain?).
  • Adam knew Chavah and Seth was born.
  • Men began to profane Yahweh’s name.
  • List of the descendants of Adam.
  • Man increased on the earth, and the sons of the rulers took wives of whoever theydesired.
  • Yahweh saw the evil and regretted having made man.
  • Noah found grace in the eyes of Yahweh.

Haftarah Reading: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Renewed Covenant: John 1:1-18