The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon.
Bereishit
Genesis 1:1-6:8
It may be surprising to hear that the traditional Jewish approach to the beginning of Genesis is not to take the verses literally. When it comes to the rest of the Torah, we assume that there are deeper messages in all that we encounter, but we still allow for what is called pshat — a straightforward, literal reading of the text.
But, as Rav Moshe Shapiro used to say, Genesis has no pshat. It jumps right into the deeper, more esoteric explanations.
There are many people who reject the Torah’s depiction of creation because it is hard to reconcile with a modern scientific understanding of the age of the universe and the theories of the origin of life as we know it. By contrast, there are scientists who have developed ways of reconciling the Torah’s descriptions with a scientific framework. By suggesting that the Torah is not necessarily always literal, it removes the need to ignore science while embracing the Torah and all that it represents.
The question remains: What is the Torah trying to communicate in its depiction of the six days of creation?
Rabbi David Fohrman has developed a beautiful approach to understanding the creation story. There is a prayer that we recite on a daily basis during the morning service. Just before the Shema prayer, we say, “And God renews in his goodness the act of creation every single day, continuously.” How can one see the renewal of God’s creation constantly?
Genesis begins with a description of God creating elements of our world in stages. Those stages are described as days. Light was the featured creation on day one. The following day, we read about the separation of the upper waters from the lower waters (essentially, the creation of the sky as we know it). On the third day, God reveals dry land and calls forth vegetation to sprout. The fourth day is when the sun, moon and stars are put in place. The fifth day welcomes the fish and the birds. Finally, on the sixth day, we have the animals and man.
Rabbi Fohrman suggests that if one reflects upon the way that day breaks, it seems that the same pattern of creation repeats itself regularly. Complete darkness gives way to the faintest of light. Then the color of the dome of the sky changes to blue. Plants begin to open up. The next stage is the rising of the actual sun. Birds start chirping, and finally, animals begin to scurry. If one finds herself or himself in nature and away from the distractions of urban life, one can really experience creation anew as the day breaks.
Renewal is integral to our human experience. We recently celebrated Rosh Hashana and welcomed in a new year with new opportunities. By re-experiencing creation, we are reminded that today brings with it new opportunities. We are dynamic creatures, just like the world around us. In fact, at Rosh Hashana, we also began a period known as the Ten Days of Repentance. Repentance allows us the opportunity to reflect on our past and commit to changing for a better future. It is in an intense time that allows us to really ourselves anew.
The daily experience of reflecting on creation allows us a similar experience. We can appreciate the world with fresh eyes and push ourselves to break free from patterns that might have developed and habits that we need to change. It is a call to take hold of the new opportunities as they present themselves. By reading the story of Creation at the beginning of the cycle of public Torah readings, we are setting the stage for renewal in all aspects of our lives. When we read the Torah portions each year, we are expected to seek new meaning and insight, even though the narratives and laws are not new.
If we need a reminder that our lives are not stagnant, just be sure to get up early in the morning and look outside as the dawn breaks. There is a creation happening on a regular basis that invites you to seize the day and make the most of each moment.