Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. A reminder that services will be held Erv Shabbat at 7:00PM this Friday and then our Midrash (Study Session) will take place at 10:00AM at the shul. Hope to see you there.
Here We Go Again
This week we turn the page, so to speak, and start reading the Torah from the beginning. This week we read from the Book of Bereishit, you might know it as Genesis (1:1 - 6:8) which is not a Hebrew name. The word means "in the beginning" and here we start to tell the story about order coming out of chaos.
What do we learn? Moses begins with the Six Days of Creation, the Shabbat, the story of the Garden of Eden – the first transgression, consequences, and expulsion; Cain & Abel, the ten generations to Noah, the Almighty sees the wickedness of man in that generation and decrees to “blot out man” (i.e. the flood). In other words there is a ton going on and so much to study.
A Profound Statement
One of the most profound verses in the whole Torah is “And G-d created man in His own Image.” Since G-d does not have a physical being, this means that we are endowed with free-will, morality, reason, and the ability to emulate G-d Who bestows kindness. Also, if we really appreciate that we are created in the image of G-d, we realize that we have intrinsic worth. Therefore, there is no need to be depressed wondering if you have intrinsic worth!
Yes, YOU Matter
This is also the argument G-d uses against the angels who were against Him creating humans. You see they said that people were going to disappoint G-d so why go to the trouble? But, G-d...being G-d knew better and that the spark of the divine would, from time to time glow with goodness.
Midrash
We'll have so much to talk about from this portion to what is in the news today about...blaming the Jews. It's back and it's ugly. Join us for a lively discussion on Shabbat starting at 10:00AM at the shul.
Thanks for reading and Shabbat Shalom!
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