9/04/2025

Pararshat 1 Portion 2 – ‘’Bereheet’’ Gen 2:4-3:21 Is 51:6-16

 Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, Sovereign of the universe, who has chosen us from among the peoples, and given us the Torah. Blessed are you YHVH, who gives us the Torah – Ameyn

אֵלֶּה תוֹלְדוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם ‘’these are the generations of the heavens’’

Gen 2:4 These are the births of the heavens and the earth when they were created, (be hibaram) in the day that יהוה Elohim made earth and heavens. 

 

Genesis Rabbah 12:1: “Wherever you find toledot, it refers to what came forth from them.”
Just as Adam’s toledot are his children, the heavens and earth’s toledot are what was produced from them: vegetation, creatures, humans, even angels (in some midrashim).

 

There three very interesting and remarkable truths hidden in this opening verse of our Torah portion: This is the first appearance in the Torah of the name of ‘’YHVH’’; and secondly this is the first and only appearance of a diminished ‘’hey’’ letter in the word בהבראם ‘’be hibaram’’ or ‘’ to create with them’’ Thirdly, in the more ancient manuscripts ‘’toldot’’ is incorrectly spelled – missing one ‘’vav’’.

 

Genesis Rabbah 12:6: Notes the defective spelling of toledot in Gen 2:4.

“In all the generations (toledot) of the world you find it written defectively, except in ‘These are the generations of Perez’ (Ruth 4:18), where it is full. Why? Because from him [Perez] comes King Messiah, who will make the generations complete.”

The idea: the missing vav symbolizes something lacking in creation after the fall (wholeness, perfection, immortality).

Only in Ruth 4:18 is it spelled fully → hinting to messianic restoration.

 

 These diminished or enlarged letters in the Torah scroll (sometimes enlarged, diminished, inverted, dotted, or suspended) are collectively called “Otiyot Meshunot” (אותיות משונות), meaning “irregular letters” or “special letters.” These special letters often hint at hidden meanings and cosmic mysteries and often point to the hidden Messiah waiting to be revealed.

 

The Hebrew word מָעוֹנוֹת (ma’onot) is the plural of מָעוֹן (ma’on), which means a dwelling, refuge or resting place. It is often used in the poetic or spiritual sense of a heavenly abode for YHVH.

 

Biblical Meaning of אוֹת  ‘’ot’’(singular) Sign / mark / symbol a Wonder / miracle a token of covenant (Gen 9:12 – rainbow as the ot of the covenant). The appointments or ‘’moedim’’ are also called ‘’otot’’ Gen 1:14.

 

There is a connection between this diminished ‘’hey’’ and an enlarged ‘’hey’’ also only found once in the Torah scroll in Deut 32:6

 

 הַ לְיְהוָה, תִּגְמְלוּ-זֹאת  עַם נָבָל, וְלֹא חָכָם:   הֲלוֹא-הוּא אָבִיךָ קָּנֶךָ  הוּא עָשְׂךָ וַיְכֹנְנֶךָ

 

Deu 32:6  “Do you do this to יהוה, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you, Who created you and established you? 

 

Context

 

Deut 32:5  He took moral corruptness upon himself – to take away the moral stains of his sons.

“God is not corrupt. The blemish belongs to His children.” שִׁחֵת לוֹ לֹא, בָּנָיו מוּמָם:

 

What is the possible connection between these two ‘’heys’’?

 

They represent the two covenants YHVH made with man. The first covenant with the descendants of the first Adam (toldot) represented by the small ‘’hey’’ and the ‘’Renewed’’ covenant represented by the enlarged ‘’hey’’ found in Deut 32:6. Which YHVH made with the second Adam and those who are in Messiah are included in this renewed covenant. This concept is beautifully explained by Paul in Rom 5:12-21.

 

Jer 31:31  “See, the days are coming,” declares יהוה, “when I shall make a renewed covenant with the house of Yisra’ěl and with the house of Yehuah,a Footnote: a Heb_8:8-12, Heb_10:16-17

Jer 31:32  not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day when I strengthened their hand to bring them out of the land of Mitsrayim, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares יהוה.

Jer 31:33  “For this is the covenant I shall make with the house of Yisra’ěl after those days, declares יהוה: I shall put My Torah in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts. And I shall be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. 

 

Gen 2:5 Now no shrub (שׂיח) of the field was yet on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for יהוה Elohim had not sent rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground, ( word  is very rare שִׂיחַ noun is a shrub and the verb means to talk or commune)

 

Gen 2:6 but a mist (אֵד) went up from the earth and watered the entire surface of the ground. 

 

‘’The אֵד” rising from the earth is not ordinary rain, but a divinely designed watering system. This word’s uniqueness underscores Eden’s primordial, unfallen state.’’

A kind of life-giving spirit rising from the earth before human life is formed.’’ (אֵד) Only one appearance in the Scriptures and disappears. Will it return one day? (yes)

 

Gen 2:7 And יהוה Elohim formed the man out of dust from the ground and breathed (neshâmâh) into his nostril’s breath of lives. And the man became a living being. (neshâmâh = puff or divine breath imparted to every newborn)

 

Pro 20:27  The spirit (neshâmâh) of a man is the lamp of יהוה, Searching all his inmost parts.

 

Gen 2:8 And יהוה Elohim planted a garden in Ěen, (pleasure and delight) to the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 

 

The garden was not just about food — it was a place where YHVH walked and talked with Adam and Eve. (Gen 3:8). It would be a kind of sanctuary just as the Tabernacle and Temple that were later built for YHVH’s presence and communion with man.

 

Gen 2:9 And out of the ground יהוה Elohim made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, with the tree of life in the midst of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

 

These two trees represent the destiny of every human that has lived or will live on planet earth.

From the garden to the grave YHVH has given each man and woman the free will to choose life or to choose death.

 

Manmade religious doctrines will oppose this view. Religion is designed to brainwash you to seek life from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Even modern-day evangelicals love to quote scriptures like Joh 15:16  “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit’’ Forgetting that man’s choices are based on YHVH’s foreknowledge of all things. In other words YHVH chooses those whom He knows will respond to His calling and prompting – to seek life from the tree of life.

 

Isa 46:10  declaring the end from the beginning, and from of old that which has not yet been done, saying, ‘My counsel does stand, and all My delight I do,’

 

When we choose the Tree of life we are choosing YHVH’s ways as He has revealed them to us in the Torah and confirmed by all His Word. The Torah is called a “Tree of Life” (Prov 3:18).

The Torah of YHVH is perfect Ps 19 James 1 – it provides council, purpose and direction for every aspect of human life in this age and in the coming age.

 

“Nothing is more contrary to the sinful nature of mankind than the acceptance of a position of dependency. Willing dependence is a profound testimony of a change in the natural bent of a sinner.” Tim Hegg.

The Tree of Life – Torah – is supremely the most powerful expression of a life dependent upon its Maker.

 

Gen 2:10 And a river went out of Ěen to water the garden, and from there it divided and became four heads. 

Gen 2:11 The name of the first is Pishon, it is the one surrounding the entire land of awilah, where there is gold. 

Gen 2:12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium is there, and the shoham stone. 

Gen 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gion, it is the one surrounding the entire land of Kush. 

Gen 2:14 And the name of the third river is iddeqel, it is the one which goes toward the east of Ashshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 

 

YHVH is going to create a renewed heaven and earth that will compare to what He created in Eden – only much better.

 

Hag 2:8  The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ declares יהוה of hosts. 

Hag 2:9  Let the esteem of this latter House be greater than the former,’ said יהוה of hosts. ‘And in this place I give peace,’ declares יהוה of hosts.” 

 

Gen 2:15 And יהוה Elohim took the man and put him in the garden of Ěen to work it and to guard it. 

Gen 2:16 And יהוה Elohim commanded the man, saying, “Eat of every tree of the garden, 

Gen 2:17 but do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall certainly die.” 

 

In the coming Messianic age and even beyond YHVH has created a beautiful space for His covenant children – 1000 generations multiplied by 70 years for a generation = 70 000 years.

 

Deu 7:9  “And you shall know that יהוה your Elohim, He is Elohim, the trustworthy Ěl guarding covenant and loving-commitment for a thousand generations with those who love Him, and those who guard His commands, 

 

Psa 105:8  He has remembered His covenant forever, The Word He commanded, for a thousand generations, 

 

Gen 2:18  And יהוה Elohim said, “It is not good for the man to be alone, I am going to make a helper for him, as his counterpart.” 

Gen 2:19  And from the ground יהוה Elohim formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called each living being, that was its name. 

Gen 2:20  So the man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field. But for the man there was not found a helper for him, as his counterpart. 

Gen 2:21  So יהוה Elohim caused a deep sleep to fall on the man, and he slept. And He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 

 

The Hebrew word that is traditionally translated as “rib” is tsela‘. Ziony Zevit, Distinguished Professor of Biblical Literature and Northwest Semitic Languages at American Jewish University in Bel-Air, California, believes that this translation is wrong, as do many scholars. It was first translated as “rib” in the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures from the mid-third century B.C.E. However, a more careful reading of the Hebrew word for “rib” in the Adam and Eve story suggests that Eve was created from another, very different, part of Adam’s anatomy—. However, a more careful reading of the Hebrew word for “rib” in the Adam and Eve story suggests that Eve was created from another, very different, part of Adam’s anatomy—his os baculum (penis bone).

 

‘’This idea was not new and had appeared in the ancient midrashic literature of Genesis Rabbah 18:2( Rabbi Samuel bar Naman) approximately 1700 years ago.

 

·        The perineal raphe is a line of tissue running from the anus through the scrotum and along the underside of the penis.

·        In embryology, it marks where the urogenital folds fused in development.

·        Some Jewish thinkers (especially medieval) connected this scar-like line with the “surgery” performed on Adam when God took the tselaʿ.

·        Thus, the raphe was seen as the “mark” left by God’s removal of the bone/side.

 

‘’Genesis Rabbah’’ is one of the earliest Midrashim on the Torah – dating from around the second century CE – ‘’

 

The Torah is like a divine marriage manual. The Song of Songs reveals details of the intimacy between a man and his wife. Many of the ancient and even modern sages considered this manual – “The Song of Songs” as the most set apart book in all of YHVH’s Word.

 

The highly esteemed and conservative Christian commentator, Adam Clarke, wrote:

‘There are many passages in it which should not be explained. ... the references being too delicate; and Eastern phraseology on such subjects is too vivid.... Let any sensible and pious medical man read over this book, (Song of Songs) and, if at all acquainted with Asiatic phraseology, say whether it would be proper, even in medical language, to explain all the descriptions and allusions in this poem.” – end quote.

 

Gen 2:23 And the man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one is called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.” 

Gen 2:24 For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 

Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, yet they were not ashamed. 

 

In rabbinic thought, before eating from the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Chavah lived in a state of purity and harmony with each other and with all YHVH ‘s creation. The fall distorted this harmony, but redemption will restore this harmony, and sexual desire will be restored to its pure purpose — not selfish lust, but holy union. Human intimacy is viewed as a reflection of a divine mystery. Thus, sexuality is not just personal — it has cosmic and mystical significance.

 

Eph 5:31 “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Gen_2:24

Eph 5:32 This secret is great, but I speak concerning Messiah and the assembly. 

Eph 5:33 However, you too, everyone, let each one love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she fears her husband. 

 

The Fall

Gen 3:1  And the naasha was more crafty than all the lives of the field which יהוה Elohim had made, and he said to the woman, “Is it true that Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Footnote: aOr Naash. Traditionally rendered the “serpent”. See Explanatory Notes “Serpent” and “Naash”. 

Gen 3:2 And the woman said to the naash, “We are to eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, 

Gen 3:3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of it, nor touch it, lest you die.’ ” 

Gen 3:4 And the naash said to the woman, “You shall certainly not die. 

Gen 3:5 “For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” 

Gen 3:6 And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, and she took of its fruit and ate. And she also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 

Gen 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made loin coverings for themselves. 

Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of יהוה Elohim walking about in the garden in the cool of the day, and Aam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of יהוה Elohim among the trees of the garden. 

Gen 3:9 And יהוה Elohim called unto Aam and said to him, “Where are you?” 

Gen 3:10 And he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself.” 

Gen 3:11 And He said, “Who made you know that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” 

Gen 3:12 And the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 

 

“vaochel” “and I ate” “In an astounding interpretation, the sages note that the verb is in the future tense, as if Adam was saying, “I ate and will eat again!” the implication was that if Adam was faced with the same temptation he would succumb again and again – Stones Chumash.

 

Gen 3:13 And יהוה Elohim said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The naash deceived me, and I ate.” 

Gen 3:14 And יהוה Elohim said to the naash, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all livestock and more than every beast of the field. On your belly you are to go and eat dust all the days of your life. 

Gen 3:15 “And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed.b He shall crush your head, and you shall crush His heel.” Footnote: bFirst promise of the Messiah. 

Gen 3:16 To the woman He said, “I greatly increase your sorrow and your conception – bring forth children in pain. And your desire is for your husband, and he does rule over you.” 

Gen 3:17  And to the man He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘Do not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground because of you, in toil you are to eat of it all the days of your life, 

Gen 3:18 and the ground shall bring forth thorns and thistles for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field. 

Gen 3:19 “By the sweat of your face you are to eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you return.” 

Gen 3:20 And the man called his wife’s name awwah, because she became the mother of all living. 

Gen 3:21 And

יהוה Elohim made coats of skin for the man and his wife and dressed them. 

 

Hos 2:14  “Therefore, see, I am alluring her, and shall lead her into the wilderness, and shall speak to her heart, 

Hos 2:15  and give to her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Aor as a door of expectation. And there she shall respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Mitsrayim. 

Hos 2:16  “And it shall be, in that day,” declares יהוה, “that you call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Ba‛al.’ 

Hos 2:17  “And I shall remove the names of the Ba‛als from her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. 

Hos 2:18  “And in that day I shall make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping creatures of the ground, when bow, and sword, and battle I break from the earth. And I shall make them lie down in safety. 

Hos 2:19  “And I shall take you as a bride unto Me forever, and take you as a bride unto Me in righteousness, and in right-ruling, and loving-commitment and compassion. 

Hos 2:20  “And I shall take you as a bride unto Me in trustworthiness, and you shall know יהוה

Hos 2:21  “And it shall be in that day that I answer,” declares יהוה, “that I answer the heavens, and they answer the earth, 

Hos 2:22  and the earth answer the grain and the new wine and the oil, and they answer Yizre‛ěl. 

Hos 2:23  “And I shall sow her for Myself in the earth, and I shall have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion. And I shall say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people,’ while they say, ‘My Elohim!’ ” 

 

The apostle Paul gives us a most brilliant midrash on this Torah portion:

 

Future Glory

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the esteem that is to be revealed in us. 

Rom 8:19  For the intense longinga of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of Elohim. Footnote: aLit. anxiously looking with outstretched head

Rom 8:20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not from choice, but because of Him who subjected it, in anticipation, 

Rom 8:21  that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage to corruption into the esteemed freedom of the children of Elohim. 

Rom 8:22  For we know that all the creation groans together, and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 

Rom 8:23  And not only so, but even we ourselves who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, we ourselves also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 

Rom 8:24  For in this expectation we were saved, but expectation that is seen is not expectation, for when anyone sees, does he expect it? 

Rom 8:25  And if we expect what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance. 

Rom 8:26  And in the same way the Spirit does help in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray, but the Spirit Himself pleads our case for us with groanings unutterable. 

Rom 8:27  And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the set-apart ones according to Elohim. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all matters work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

Rom 8:29  Because those whom He knew beforehand, He also ordained beforehand to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, for Him to be the first-born among many brothers. 

Rom 8:30  And whom He ordained beforehand, these He also called, and whom He called, these He also declared right. And whom He declared right, these He also esteemed. 

 

Conclusion – Only by being born again or being born from above can you move from the small ‘’hey’’ to the big ‘’hey’’.

 

Joh 3:3  יהושע answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he is unable to seea the reign of Elohim.” Footnote: aOr perceive. 

Joh 3:4  Nadimon said to Him, “How is a man able to be born when he is old? Is he able to enter into his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 

Joh 3:5  יהושע answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he is unable to enter into the reign of Elohim. 

Joh 3:6  “That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 

 

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah. Ameyn.

Additional Midrash on this Torah portion:

Ephesians 4:4–7 reflects themes deeply rooted in rabbinic thought — unity of YHVH, unity of people, ritual immersion, divine presence, and measured grace. Paul is speaking in a Jewish conceptual framework, while applying it to the Messianic body.

Eph 4:4  one body and one Spirit, as you also were called in one expectation of your calling, 

Eph 4:5  one Master, one belief, one immersion, 

Eph 4:6  one Elohim and Father of all, who is above all,a and through all, and in you all. Footnote: aSee Mrk_12:32, Mrk_12:34, 1Co_8:6, 1Ti_2:5, Mrk_12:29-34

Eph 4:7  But to each one of us favour was given according to the measure of the gift of Messiah. Rom 8:29 YHVH’s purpose for every person on earth.

 

Rabbinic marriage imagery:

Eph 5:24  But as the assembly is subject to Messiah, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every respect. Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it, Eph 5:26  in order to set it apart and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,f Footnote: f Rev_19:8-9. Eph 5:27  in order to present it to Himself a splendid assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any of this sort, but that it might be set-apart and blameless. ‘blemish’’ σπίλος (spilos) and Line 7 of Dev 32:5    שִׁחֵת לוֹ לֹאבָּנָיו מוּמָם: morally corrupt – masc מוּמָם

Song of Songs 4:7כֻּלָּךְ יָפָה רַעְיָתִי וּמוּם אֵין בָּךְ – “You are altogether beautiful, my beloved, and there is no blemish מוּמָם in you.”

The rabbis also used marriage imagery for Israel as God’s bride, the Temple, and the Torah-observant community.

The NT context (Eph 5:25–27) compares Christ and the ekklesia to husband and wife.

Rabbinic parallel: Israel is called the Bride of YHVH at Sinai.

Exodus Rabbah 33:8 – YHVH gave Israel the Torah like a ketubah (marriage contract).

Pesikta Rabbati 21 – Israel will be presented to YHVH “as a bride adorned for her husband.”

The language of without blemish reflects Levitical language: sacrifices must be “without spot or blemish” (Lev 22:19–20). Rabbis applied this to Israel’s set apartness as YHVH’s offering in the world.

 

The first resurrection not the rapture.

 

Rabbinic literature envisions a mingling of the resurrected dead with those still alive when the redemption comes.

Talmud Sanhedrin 91b Rav states: “The righteous whom the Holy One will resurrect will never return to dust.” This suggests some alive when Messiah comes will not die, but be transformed into immortality.

Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer 34 - When Messiah comes, the dead will rise, but the righteous still alive will also rejoice with them. Emphasizes the “great banquet” with both groups present.

(Zohar II:108b) Talks about a generation that will not taste death but will be “clothed in garments of light” alongside the resurrected ones. Both groups united in God’s presence.

These are the verses that later interpreters (Christian & Jewish) associated with Petra/Sela as a place of refuge or judgment:

 Isaiah 16:1“Send the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela, by way of the desert, to the mount of daughter Zion.”

  Isaiah 42:11 — mentions the inhabitants of Sela shouting for joy.

The Midrash and Talmud generally don’t name Petra/Sela as an eschatological refuge for Israel.

However, they do speak about a remnant escaping in the time of tribulation:

Midrash Tehillim 118: In the “great day of judgment,” Israel will be surrounded, but God will provide hidden places of escape.

Pesikta Rabbati 36: At the end of days, the nations will besiege Jerusalem, and a remnant of Israel will be saved and sheltered until Messiah’s deliverance.

Sela/Petra specifically isn’t highlighted, but the concept of a divinely protected refuge for the righteous remnant is there.

Zohar (III:212b) speaks of the “faithful remnant” fleeing into the “desert of the peoples” until the time of redemption.

1. Seven Things Created before the World -  Pesachim 54a; Nedarim 39b; Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer

1.        Torah

2.        Repentance (Teshuvah)

3.        Garden of Eden

4.        Gehenna (Hell)

5.        The Throne of Glory

6.        The Temple (Beit ha-Mikdash)

7.        The Name of the Messiah

 Pesachim 54a (variant list) also adds: The Righteous (Tzaddikim) themselves.

Genesis Rabbah 1:4: The Spirit of the Messiah was present before creation.

Midrash Tanchuma, Nasso 16: Israel was in YHVH’s thought before the world.

8/30/2025

Parashat 1 Portion 1 ‘’Beresheet’’ Gen1:1-2:3 Is 42:5-13+21

Beginning of new Septennial Torah cycle – Elul – 2025.

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, Sovereign of the universe, who has chosen us from among the peoples, and given us the Torah. Blessed are you YHVH, who gives us the Torah – Ameyn

Ecc 3:11  He has made it all, beautiful in its time. Even the ages (Heb 11:3) He has put in their hearts, except that no one finds out the work that Elohim does from beginning to end. 

There exists a great deal of mystery and unanswered questions around the Genesis account of creation. This has given rise to some unbiblical speculation, resulting in drawing peoples attention away from the undisputable reality that it was YHVH Himself who was the Grand Architect of His own creation. (Darwin’s theory of evolution is such an example of a distraction)

Heb 11:3  By belief, we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of Elohim, so that what is seen was not made of what is visible. (The Greek word for ‘’ages’’ is ‘’αών (aiōn)’’ and appears in the masculine plural noun and is translated as ‘’worlds’’ or ‘’ages’’)

YHVH has only one purpose for His creation and we who are in Messiah are the central focus and purpose of that plan.

Col 1:16  Because in Him were created all that are in the heavens and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or rulerships or principalities or authorities – all have been created through Him and for Him.c Footnote: c Jhn_1:3

Eph 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah יהושע unto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

1 Enoch 62:7 “…For from the beginning the Son of Man was hidden, and the Most High has preserved Him in the presence of His power, and revealed Him to the elect.

Before we start our study in Genesis 1, I would like to invite the more curious minded to view the following You-tube video: 40min

THE BOOK REMOVED FROM GENESIS — THE LOST CHAPTER HIDDEN BY THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h1_8tCMdIQ

When scholars refer to “the erased chapter from Genesis”, they are usually referring to traditions or writings that claim there was once extra material connected to Genesis that is no longer in our Bibles. These traditions are found in the Apocryphal Books that were once included in our English bibles. Many of these hidden mysteries have resurfaced in the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls in 1947. Apocrypha is derived from the Greek word ‘’apokryphos’’, which means "secret" or "hidden these include: 1 and 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, the Prayer of Manasseh, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, and the additions to Esther, Enoch, Maccabees and others. 

The Creation of the World

 

Gen 1:1  In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth. 

 

 בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ.

 

The בּ (Bet) has a sheva (ְ ), not a qamatz (ָ ). Therefore, the first verse in the Torah should be translated ‘’In a beginning’’ (‘’a’’ is an indefinite article)

This indefinite article implies that there will also be ‘’other beginnings’’ these include: a seventh day beginning (Millennium) and an eighth day beginning (the New Jerusalem)

The בּ (Bet) is also enlarged and represents a ‘’house’’ YHVH was clearly stating His intention from the beginning that He wanted to dwell with man – ‘’Bet’’ has a numerical value of 2.

The Creator’s original purpose of all His Creation was to seek a covenant space with humans who desired themselves to enter into this covenant space with Him – Kadosh kadoshim.

 

Gen 1:2  And the earth came to bea formless and empty, ( תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ) and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Elohim was moving (מְרַחֶפֶת) on the face of the waters. Footnote: aOr the earth becameתֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ ‘’astonishingly chaotic and empty’’ מְרַחֶפֶת to vibrate.

 

The Zohar (I:47a) explicitly ties the weekly parashah cycle to the cosmic rhythm of creation — “As the world was created in six days and completed on the seventh, so the Torah portion is prepared during six days and completed in the assembly on Shabbat.”

 

Day 1 - Gen 1:3  And Elohim said, “Let light come to be,” and light came to be. 

Gen 1:4  And Elohim saw the light, that it was good. And Elohim separated the light from the darkness. 

Gen 1:5  And Elohim called the light ‘day’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, one day. 

 

Heb 5:12  For indeed, although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first elements of the Words of Elohim. And you have become such as need milk and not solid food. Heb 5:13  For everyone partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. Heb 5:14  But solid food is for the mature whose senses have been trained by practice to discern both good and evil. 

 

These were the very first recorded words that come from the Mouth of YHVH – Gen 1:5

 

For the discerning student, they will know that light can have two sources – Good and evil.

2Co 11:14  And no wonder! For Satan himself masquerades as a messenger of light! 

2Co 11:15  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness,c whose end shall be according to their works!d Footnotes: cSee Mat_7:15-23, 2Pe_2:1-22. dSee Mat_13:41-42.

 

Mat 6:23 …. If, then, the light that is within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (religion posing as light has brought a deep darkness upon the face of the earth)

 

The very definition of Lucifer is ‘’light bearer’’

 

This distinction requires mature discernment. So, there needs to be a ‘’separation’’ as there indeed was in the creation account - Gen 1:5  And Elohim called the light ‘day’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, one day. 

 

Application to our study of Torah: Midrash. Heb 5:14  But solid food is for the mature whose senses have been trained by practice to discern both good and evil. 

 

Midrash Rabbah (Genesis Rabbah 3:5) “The light which was created on the first day — this is the light of Torah, by which the Holy One, blessed be He, shows Israel the way.”

Pesikta Rabbati 36 “The Torah is light, and the one who occupies himself with Torah brings light to the world.”

 

Rom 3:1  What then is the advantage of the Yehui, or what is the value of the circumcision? 

Rom 3:2  Much in every way! Because firstly indeed, that they were entrusted with the Words of Elohim. (Circumcision = conversion to covenant life in Messiah.)

 

Day 2 - Gen 1:6 And Elohim said, “Let an expanse come to be in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 

Gen 1:7 And Elohim made the expanse and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse. And it came to be so. 

Gen 1:8 And Elohim called the expanse ‘heavens.’ And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, the second day. 

 

The phrase is unusual — it suggests one kind of “water” being divided from another.

 

Ramban (Nachmanides) says this verse shows the spiritual vs. physical realms: “waters above” = more refined, subtle matter (heavenly); “waters below” = coarse, physical matter.

 

Zohar (Bereishit 31a): “Waters above” symbolize divine mercy, “waters below” symbolize judgment.

 

On Day 1, YHVH created light (order vs. darkness).

On Day 2, YHVH divided waters (separation of realms).

Both acts are about bringing distinction, structure, and boundaries out of primordial chaos.

 

Application to our Torah study: Midrash. This is the duty of a set apart priesthood - Lev 10:10 so as to make a distinction between the set-apart and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, Lev 10:11 and to teach the children of Yisra’ěl all the laws which יהוה has spoken to them by the hand of Mosheh.” 

 

Gen 1:9 And Elohim said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it came to be so. 

Gen 1:10 And Elohim called the dry land ‘earth,’ and the collection of the waters He called ‘seas.’ And Elohim saw that it was good. 

Gen 1:11 And Elohim said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the plant that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth.” And it came to be so. 

Gen 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, the plant that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And Elohim saw that it was good. 

Gen 1:13 And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, the third day. 

 

So only the third day gets two “goods.” Day 2 ‘’good’’ does not appear – why? Maybe it will only be good when YHVH’s desire is done on earth as it is done in heaven.

 

What is YHVH’s desire for earth. Fruitfulness, abundant fruitfulness – His first command to Adam and Eve – Gen 1:28

 

Application to our Torah study: Midrash. See parable of the Sower – Mat 13 and Deut 32. When we study the Torah, we desire the good Seed sown by the Sower into our hearts. When we teach the Torah, we rely on the Set Apart Spirit to sow the same good seed into the hearts of others.

 

Day 4 Gen 1:14 And Elohim said, “Let lights come to be in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and appointed times, and for days and years, 

Gen 1:15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.” And it came to be so. 

Gen 1:16 And Elohim made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars. 

Gen 1:17 And Elohim set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 

Gen 1:18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And Elohim saw that it was good. 

Gen 1:19 And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, the fourth day. 

 

The sages often describe the appointed times (מוֹעֲדִים), the Sabbath, and the cycles of creation as divine rhythms woven into the fabric of the world. By entering into them, Israel realigns with YHVH’s harmony.

The weekly Torah readings are also seen as a rhythm of this restoration.

This reminds us of the ‘’Merachefet’’ in Gen 1:2.

Ps. 19:8 “The Torah of YHVH is perfect, restoring the soul.”

 

In recent years an ancient controversy has erupted again as to when these appointed times should be celebrated. The source of this controversy revolves around two different calendars – The Rabbinic calendar verses the Zadokite calendar.

 

‘’The rabbinic calendar is a solar/lunar calendar, months begin with the sighting of the new moon over Israel. Year length: 354 days → adjusted by leap months (Adar II) to stay in sync with the solar year (so Passover stays in spring).  Moedim can move weekdays year-to-year (e.g. Yom Kippur might fall on Monday one year, Wednesday the next). The Rationale is based on Torah instructions to “observe the new moon” (Exod 12:2; Ps 81:3) and agricultural cycles. The objections of Zadokites are that they considered the Qumran calendar detached from visible signs in creation (moon phases).’’

 

‘’The Zadokites object because they believe the rabbinic lunar calendar allows humans to tamper with the appointed times, thus profaning them. For the Rabbis, the Zadokite solar system = ignoring YHVH’s clear command to sanctify the new moon. This is why in Qumran texts like Jubilees 6:34–38, accuse Israel of following a “corrupted calendar,” which is one of the main reasons they withdrew into the wilderness.’’

 

Jubilees 6:34–38

34: “And He appointed the moon and the stars for signs and for appointed times, for days and for years, so that the covenant of the times would not be broken.” (In the Zadok calendar New moon sightings are not used. The moon is acknowledged as a light for appointed times (Gen 1:14), but it does not determine months or feasts.)
35: “And He commanded the children of Israel to keep the festivals in their appointed months and days according to this command.”
36: “But they did not observe the year according to this order; they made the months according to their own pleasure,(new moon sightings) and thus defiled the festivals.”
37: “For all the years they have acted according to the calendar of the nations of the earth, and not according to the covenant of God with all His creatures.”
38: “Therefore the covenant of the times was broken, and Israel fell into error and defiled the festivals of God.”

 

Naturally this issue is causing a great deal of disunity within the Messianic movement.

However, according to some scholars there is clear evidence that both these calendars are found in the scriptures. The books of Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation used the Zadokite calendar:

Daniel

·         Evidence: Prophetic calculations (“time, times, and half a time,” 70 weeks) require a fixed year.

·         Reference: Daniel 7–12 (apocalyptic visions, timeline of salvation history).

·         Why: A variable lunar-solar calendar would make these exact counts impossible.

 

Ezekiel

·         Evidence: Temple visions (chapters 40–48) include Sabbath- and festival-based offerings, timed with a fixed cycle.

·         Why: Rituals require exact weekdays and months; aligns with solar 364-day system.

·         Connection: Matches Qumran texts that preserve priestly schedules.

 

The book of the Revelation

 

Revelation is full of apocalyptic, temporal imagery: “time, times, and half a time” (Rev 12:14), 1260 days, 42 months, 7-year periods.

 These numbers correspond exactly to solar-year calculations, as opposed to the variable lunar calendar.

 

The Rabbinic calendar guides and restores our intimacy with YHVH without ignoring the significance of end time prophetic events measured by the Zadokite calendar. We must note that even the Zadokite calendar doesn’t fully explain their measurement of time without making some adjustments.

 

Exo 12:2  “This new moon is the beginning of new moons for you, it is the first new moon of the year for you

 

Psa 81:3  Blow a shophar in the New moon, in the covering for the day of our festival. 

Psa 81:4  For this is a lawa for Yisra’ěl, And a right-ruling of the Elohim of Ya‛aqo. Footnote: a Lev_23:24, Num_10:10, Num_29:1

 

Application to our Torah study: Midrash – Is my understanding of the Torah portion bringing harmony between heaven and earth, between brother and brother?

 Psa 19:1 The heavens are proclaiming the esteem of Ěl; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hand. (both Rabbinic and Zadokite calendars)

Psa 19:2  Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 

Psa 19:3  There is no speech,(audible) and there are no words,(heard) Their voice is not heard. 

Psa 19:4  Their line (measuring tape) has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He set up a tent for the sun, 

Psa 19:5  And it is like a bridegroom coming out of his room, (chupah – bridle tent) It rejoices like a strong man to run the path. Psa 19:7  The Torah of יהוה is perfect, bringing back the being; The witness of יהוה is trustworthy, making wise the simple; Psa 19:10  More desirable than gold, Than much fine gold; And sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. 

 

Day 5 - Gen 1:20  And Elohim said, “Let the waters teem with shoals of living beings, and let birds fly above the earth on the face of the expanse of the heavens.” 

Gen 1:21  And Elohim created great sea creatures and every living being that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And Elohim saw that it was good. 

Gen 1:22  And Elohim blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and increase, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 

Gen 1:23  And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, the fifth day. 

 

Day 6 - Gen 1:24 And Elohim said, “Let the earth bring forth the living being (נפשׁ חיה) according to its kind: livestock and creeping creatures and beasts of the earth, according to its kind.” And it came to be so. ( נפשׁ חיה ‘’nefesh chaia’’ – denotes a life force unique in Yah’s creation)

Gen 1:25 And Elohim made the beast of the earth according to its kind, livestock according to its kind, and all that creep on the earth according to its kind. And Elohim saw that it was good. 

Gen 1:26 And Elohim said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the livestock, and over all the earth and over all the creeping creatures that creep on the ground.” 

Gen 1:27 And Elohim created the man in His image; in the image of Elohim He created him – male and female He created them. 

Gen 1:28 And Elohim blessed them, and Elohim said to them, “Be fruitful and increase, and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over all creeping creatures on the earth.” 

Gen 1:29 And Elohim said, “See, I have given you every plant that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed, to you it is for food. 

Gen 1:30 “And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the heavens, and to every creeping creature on the earth, in which there is a living being, every green plant is for food.” And it came to be so. (Genesis 1:30 is an idealized original state, not in tension with the later laws.)

Gen 1:31 And Elohim saw all that He had made, and see, it was very good. And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, the sixth day. 

 

‘’The first four days create the framework of cosmic time (light, space, seasons, luminaries).

The last two days populate this framework with living creatures and humans, who are responsible for maintaining harmony.’’

 

These four forms of life reproduce through mating. Plants and stars don’t mate. Now creation becomes more personal as does our understanding and application of the weekly Torah portion.

 

It is awe inspiring to observe and marvel at His creatures. It connects us to our Creator.

It is even more amazing if you enjoy the company of other human beings, to be able to celebrate and share our common humanity. This becomes even more special when you find a life partner – a ‘’zivug’’ and fit together perfectly. For example, the zivug symbolizes the union of the set apart masculine and feminine, bringing blessing into the world.

 

The crowning glory of the creation account is to look upon YHVH’s most amazing creation of all His Creations – Yahshua His Messiah - Rom 10:4  For Messiah is the goal (purpose) of the ‘Torah unto righteousness’ to everyone who believes.

 

The first four days create the framework of cosmic time (light, space, seasons, luminaries).

 The last two days populate this framework with living creatures and humans, who are responsible for maintaining harmony between heaven and earth.

 

The Seventh Day, YHVH Rests

Gen 2:1  Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array. 

Gen 2:2  And in the seventh day Elohim completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.

Gen 2:3  And Elohim blessed the seventh day and set it apart, because on it He rested from all His work which Elohim in creating had made. 

 

Now YHVH invites us into an intimate covenant with Himself. Now YHVH call us to be co-creators with Himself and to be so fruitful as to fill the entire universe with the esteem of the knowledge of who He is. To speak His Word into existence that creates perfect liberty and life to all His creation.

 

Now we have become living Torah’s ourselves.

 

Col 1:19  Because in Him all the completeness was well pleased to dwell, 

Col 1:20  and through Him to completely restore to favour all unto Himself, whether on earth or in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of His stake. 

Col 1:25  of which I became a servant according to the administration of Elohim which was given to me for you, to fill the word of Elohim, 

Col 1:26  the secret which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His set-apart ones, 

Col 1:27  to whom Elohim desired to make known what are the riches of the esteem of this secret among the nations: which is Messiah in you, the expectancy of esteem, 

Col 1:28  whom we announce, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, in order to present every man perfect in Messiah יהושע

Col 1:29  for which I also labour, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power. 

 

1 Enoch 62:7 “…For from the beginning the Son of Man was hidden, and the Most High has preserved Him in the presence of His power, and revealed Him to the elect.

 

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah. Ameyn.