Noah B’resheet/Gen. 6:9-11:32
: Noah B’resheet/Genesis 6:9-11:32
Haftorah Readings: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Today we look at the Parasha Noah. Each year when we come to this portion I must admit, for me it is not an easy passage of scripture to understand on several levels. There are many places where I am at a loss to explain exactly what is happening. Perhaps one of the more difficult sentences in scripture to grasp is B’resheet/Genesis 6:1, just a few verses before our portion begins. In this verse we read, “And the L-rd repented that He…had made man on the earth and it grieved Him at His heart.” This verse begs the question, why did G-d say He repented for the act of creating man to begin with?
D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 1-3
Torah Portion: D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22
HafTorah: Isaiah 1:1-27
This section begins with Moshe speaking to the people before they enter the Land. What do you think was the purpose of G-d freeing them from Egypt and bringing them here to claim their inheritance? Why did He reach out and bring us to Him? Here I think G-d brought the people of Israel for the purpose of being an example of how His people could live life as a G-dly people. A people who were concerned with righteousness and justice, a people who would be a light to the world around them, that it was/is possible to live life, work, marry, raise a family and still be a people who cared for the poor, the widow and orphan. He wanted them to be a people who treated everyone with respect and dignity, so is His wish for us. A people who were able to reflect their Father in the everyday life they lived. I believe this is the purpose of Moshe’s speech to them.