B´reishit: The Beginnings

By Richard Sison | 2016

Introduction

The Genesis as we know it is called B’reishit in the Hebrew Bible, which means “the beginnings” for it records the beginning of everything as we know them. Contrary to our common belief, B’reishit or Genesis is not a historical book but rather a record bearing the beginning of many things that is related to biblical stories and the development on how G-D’s instructions (the Torah) and G-D’s covenants came about. Since it is not a historical book, it does not carry the complete account of everything that we need to know. There were other books that were written for historical account but unfortunately it did not make it to the Canon for one reason or another.

Some notable facts in B’reishit:
1. It covers a span of over 1600 years period
2. It covers seven (7) righteous generations from Adam
3. It covers seven (7) unrighteous generations from Adam
4. All seven (7) righteous generations prior to Noah died already.
5. The Name of HaShem was mentioned 33 times in this Parsha. (see discussion below)
6. There were 24 names mentioned in this Parsha; 12 were righteous and 12 that were not.
7. There are 146 verses in the Parsha of B’reishit and Psalms 146 alludes to it.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways, says Adonai.
As high as the sky is above the earth
are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

The message