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Bereishit - Torah the Blueprint of the World
Torah was the first of the seven fundamental concepts. It preceded the creation of the world by two thousand years (Avodah Zarah 9a). Why was this necessary?The Torah says, "I served as the architect's...
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Bereishit - Creation of the World by Ten Utterances
Hashem made ten statements. With each one, a part of Creation emerged. With the tenth statement, the world was completed. What were these statements?"In the beginning G-d created..." (Bereishit 1:1)...
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Bereishit - Ohr Haganuz - The Hidden Light
Light - Ohr Haganuz - The Hidden LightAlthough the Torah relates that the creation of light took place on the first day, it also states that the sun, moon, and stars were not created until the fourth...
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Bereishit - Spirit of G-d Hovering
"and the Spirit of G-d hovering over the water's surface."This expression refers to The Throne of Divine Glory, which was poised in space, hovering over the water's surface, by means of the ruach...
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Bereishit - Time
"And G-d saw that it was good. And it was evening, and it was morning, one day."On the first day, Hashem created time. He assigned a twenty-four hour period to day and night. (Rashi) He commanded the...
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Bereishit - Rakia - Firmament
Bereishit 1:7 "G-d said, 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide between water and water.'7 G-d made the firmament, and He divided between the waters that are below the...
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Bereishit - Trees, Grass and Gan Eden
[Gan Eden - Artist Yoram Raanan]At the onset of the third day, the earth was still immersed in water. Hashem commanded, "Let the waters gather!" At this, hills and mountains began to emerge, allowing...
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Bereishit - Sun, Moon, and Zodiacs
The Fourth Day of Creation: Placing Sun, Moon, and Zodiacs in their Position in the SkyOn the fourth day, Hashem placed the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. The sun and moon were originally equal in...
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Bereishit - Creation of the Creatures
On the fifth day, G-d created all sorts of flying creatures. There are two opinions among Chazal as to how they were made. Some say they were created from water, just like the fish. In fish the...
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Bereishit - Creation of Man
Before creating Adam, Hashem said, "Let us make man!" (Bereishit 1:26) Just as a human head of state confers with his cabinet before passing a law, so does Hashem take action only after having taken...
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Bereishit - Twilight at Creation
There is a time at sunset when it is neither day or night. This twilight period of the sixth day therefore pertained neither to the six days of creation, nor to the ensuing Shabbat. Chazal teach that...
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Bereishit - Before Physical Creation
Before the Beginning, There Was Nothing But Light, Infinite Light - Ohr Ain Sof“When the King first desired a world, He engraved its forms in the pure Supernal Light.” (Zohar 1:15a)The hollow engraved...
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Bereishit - Shabbat
[Art by Anna Zarnitsky] וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂהVayechal Elokim bayom hashvi'i melachto asher...
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Noach - The Mabul
Although mankind no longer lived in Gan Eden, their life-style before the mabul (flood) still resembled Gan Eden. (Midrash Hagadol)Life was good. In fact, it was too good. It was a life of...
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Noach - A Tzaddik
Noach was an extraordinary man, a tzaddik whose righteousness upheld the entire world. "Three tzaddikim comprised the foundation of the world: Adam, Noach and Avraham."This is to be taken in the...
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Noach - Life in the Tevah
During the twelve months' duration of the mabul, the Heavenly planets did not operate in order. The inhabitants of the Tevah therefore could not tell from sun or moon whether it was day or night. Only...
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Noach Sends out the Dove
(Picture from Chabad)"He waited another seven days, and once again he sent out the dove from the Tevah. The dove came to him toward evening and there was a torn off olive leaf in its beak. Noach knew...
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Lech Lecha - Heavenly Decree
FOUR ACTIONS HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE A HEAVENLY DECREETzedakah - Giving CharityTefillah - PrayerTeshuvah - Improving one's deedsShinui Shem - Being renamedSome add:Shinui Hamakom - Changing...
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Lech Lecha - Bitachon
How can one comprehend the fact that a Jew in the most miserable of situations nevertheless affirms, "Gam zu l'tovah! (It is all for the best!)"It is a character trait inherited from our forefather...
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Vayera - Good Deeds
Hachnasat Orchim - HospitalityAvraham, by means of his hospitality and teachings, drew tens of thousands of people to Hashem's service. (Rambam)A person must constantly ask himself, "When shall my...
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