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 ‘’αἰών
(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 became. תֹהוּ
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.
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 Yehuḏi, 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‛aqoḇ. 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.