Parashat Bereishit

In the beginning of Hashem creation<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:1"/> of Heaven and Earth the world was astonishingly<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:2">Rashi Berashis 1:2</ref> empty and desolate.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:2"/>  Darkness was on the face of the water upon deep earth.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:2"/> The spirit of Hashem and His Throne of Glory<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:2"/> hovered over the face of the water, suspended in the air,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:2"/> by the breath of His mouth and His word,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:2"/> just like a dove hovering over its nest.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:2"/> The sprit of Hashem alludes to the Sprit of Moshiach.<ref name="Baal Haturim Birashis 1:2">Baal Haturim Birashis 1:2</ref>

The world was created in merit of the Jews accepting<ref name="Baal Haturim Birashis 1:1"/> the Torah,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:1"/> in merit of Nation of Yisroel<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:1"/> and for the Truth.<ref name="Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Geniva 5">Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Geniva 5</ref> It was finished on Rosh Hashanah.<ref name="Baal Haturim Birashis 1:1">Baal Haturim Birashis 1:1</ref> and was created with Truth.<ref name="Baal Haturim Birashis 1:1"/> Originally Hashem intended to create the World with the attribute of Justice since the highest levels of nullification to Hashem are attainable through harsh judgments, which would allow people to reach the ultimate goodness of great comprehension of Hashem. However He saw it could not last as most people would fail to achieve this nullification.<ref name="Likutay Halachos, Hilchos Tefillas Arvis 4:7">ikutay Halachos, Hilchos Tefillas Arvis 4:7</ref> Instead he proceeded to create it with the attribute of Mercy and joined it with the attribute of Justice.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:1"/>  

Instead of starting the Torah by the instruction of Kidush Hachodesh,<ref name="Chumash Shemos 12:2">Chumash Shemos 12:2</ref> the first publicly given commandment, the Torah starts from Creation to reveal the power of Hashem and that all belongs to Him and therefore  the Jews had right to capture the Land of Canaan at His command.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:1">Rashi Berashis 1:1</ref> It is forbidden to expound on the mystical teachings of Creation and the Chariot, to those that are not worthy.<ref>Baal Haturim Birashis 1:7</ref>

Hashem creates the sky, land and light. He said there should be light and there was light. Hashem saw the light that it was good and should not be mixed together with the darkness.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:4">Rashi Berashis 1:4</ref> This light was an aspect of the Torah, the 613 commandments and the covnent of the Bris.<ref name="Baal Haturim Birashis 1:4">Baal Haturim Birashis 1:4</ref> He then separates the light and darkness, giving boundaries to each,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:4"/> calling the light day and the darkness night. Hashem also saw that it was not befitting for the wicked to access the original light was not so He separated it for the righteous to use in the future.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:4"/> It was evening and then morning and the first day was over. During the first day only Hashem existed in the world, for the angels were not created until the second day.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:5">Rashi Berashis 1:5</ref>

 

The sun and moon were also created on the first day, but only suspended in the sky on the 4th day.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:14"/>  Likewise all the creations of heaven and earth were created on the first day, but were only fixed in their proper places later on.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:14"/>

Hashem had commanded that the taste of each tree should be like its fruit. However the earth did not do so and only produced taste in the actual fruits. Therefore when when Adam was cursed for his sin, the earth was also reimbursed for its sin and cursed.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:11"/> Each blade of grass has a Mazel above.<ref>Baal Haturim Birashis 1:12</ref>

Hashem said there should be lights in the firmament of the heavens. Although the sun and moon were created on the first day, it was only on the 4th day that they were suspended in the sky.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:14">Rashi Berashis 1:14</ref> They will separate between the day and between the night. They were server as signs for when the sun or moon are eclipsed, it is an unfavorable omen for the world.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:14"/> They are to be use to appoint seasons, since the months and holidays are set based on the rebirth of the new moon.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:14"/> They set the timeframe of the days, since the sun servers for half a day and the moon for the other half, completing a full day cycle.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:14"/> They also set the year cycle, which lasts 356 days during which they complete their revolution through the twelve constellations, which serve them. In addition,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:15">Rashi Berashis 1:15</ref> they will serve as lights in the firmament of the heavens to shine light upon the earth. It was so. Really only the sun was created for light, while the moon was created only to prevent worship of the sun had it been created alone.<ref>Baal Haturim Birashis 1:14</ref>

 

Hashem made the two great lights, the sun and the moon. Originally both were the same size<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:16">Rashi Berashis 1:16</ref> but when the moon complained that the sun had equal power and it is impossible for two kings to use the same crown, it was punished and made smaller.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:16"/> Following this sun - the great light ruled during the day, while the moon - the lesser light ruled at night. Because Hashem diminished the moon, He created for it hosts of stars, to appease it.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:16"/> Hashem placed them in the firmament of the heavens to shine light upon the earth, to rule over the day and night and to separate between the light and darkness. Hashem saw that it was good.  It was evening and then morning, a fourth day.

 

The fourth day of the week is cursed day when children become ill with croup and therefore the men of the Mamad would fast on the 4th day so that children should not become ill with croup.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:14"/>

Hashem said the waters should swarm a swarming of living creatures, containing life in them.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:20">Rashi Berashis 1:20</ref> This included all living things that are not much higher than the earth.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:20"/> It included winged creatures such as flies, insects such as  ants, beetles, and worms and larger creatures such as weasels, mice and lizards.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:20"/> It also included all the fish.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:20"/> Additionally let birds fly over the earth, across the firmament of the heavens. More kosher birds were created then non-kosher ones.<ref>Baal Haturim Birashis 1:22</ref>

 

Hashem created the great sea reptiles, which included the great fish in the sea, the Leviyatan and its mate. Both male and female were created but Hashem killed the female, and salted her away for the righteous in the future, because if they would have children, the world could not exist because of them.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:21"/>

 

 

Because these creatures are hunted by humans and their numbers are decreased,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:22">Rashi Berashis 1:22</ref> Hashem blessed them to be fruitful<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:22"/> and each should mass<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:22"/> multiply. They should fill the waters of the seas, and let the birds multiply upon the earth. It was evening, then morning, a fifth day.

Hashem said the earth should bring forth what was already previously created on the first day;<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:24">Rashi Berashis 1:24</ref> living creatures, containing life in them,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:24"/> according to their species, cattle, creeping things which are low and crawl upon the earth appearing to drag since their walking motions are not noticeable<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:24"/> and the beasts of the earth according to their species. It was so.

 

 

Although the land animals are also hunted by humans and their numbers are decreased, Hashem did not bless them to multiply like he did to the birds and fish because He did not want to include the serpent in the blessings since was destined to be cursed.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:22"/>

Hashem counseled with the angels<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:26">Rashi Berashis 1:26</ref> saying they should make man in their image form,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:26"/> after their likeness, giving them ability to understand and to discern.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:26"/> They shall rule over the fish of the sea, birds of the heaven, animals, entire earth and all creepy things that creep upon the earth. This is only if a man merits, if he does not, then he becomes subservient to them, and the beast rules over him.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:26"/>

 

 

Hashem created man in His image using His hands, unlike everything else that was created with His sayings.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:27">Rashi Berashis 1:27</ref> He was created in the image of Hashem, with a mold like a coin.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:27"/> The image that was prepared for Adam was the image of the likeness of his Creator,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:27"/> Both male and female humans were created by Hashem on the sixth day.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:27"/> Originally they were created together with two faces on a single body, but later Hashem divided them by taking one of Adom's ribs.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:27"/> Man was created from earth and is composed of dust, blood and bile.<ref name="Baal Haturim Birashis 1:27">Baal Haturim Birashis 1:27</ref> Males are more in realm of blessing, while females are more in the realm of curse.<ref name="Baal Haturim Birashis 1:29"/>

 

Hahsem blessed them, telling them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over all the beasts that tread upon the earth. Only males have the commandment to multiply<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:28">Rashi Berashis 1:28</ref> and should subdue the females from public socialization.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:28"/> If they merit they will subdue even the fish but if not they will be subdued even by nations like the Plishtim.<ref>Baal Haturim Berashis 1:28</ref>

 

 

Hashem told Adom he is being given every seed bearing herb on the surface of the entire earth and every tree that has seed bearing fruit as his for food. However Adom and his wife were not permitted to kill any creatures and eat their meat.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:30">Rashi Berashis 1:30</ref> Similarly,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:30"/> all the beasts of the earth, birds of the heavens and everything that moves upon the earth, in which there is a living spirit, also have the right to eat green herbs. It was so. It was only during the time of Noach that humans were permitted to eat animals.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 1:30"/>

Hashem finishes creation of the heavens, earth and all their hosts at the instance the sixth day was over,<ref name="Rashi Berashis 2:2">Rashi Berashis 2:2</ref> sealing Creation with the Shem Havaya.<ref>Baal Haturim Berashis 1:31</ref> Calculating the last millisecond of the sixth day was an act that only Hashem who knows the exact moment can do, but to others it appeared as if the work slightly continued into the 7th day.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 2:2"/> Hashem abstained on the seventh day from all the that He did, providing 'rest' to the world, completing it with its last lacking element.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 2:2"/>

 

Hashem blessed the seventh day and made it holy, since He abstained from all the work He created, by doing double work on the 6th day, covering all work needed for the 7th day.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 2:3">Rashi Berashis 2:3</ref> This blessing later manifested in the Mun which was given in a double portion on Erev Shabbos, as well as the holiness since on Shabbos it did not rain Mun at all.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 2:3"/>

 

The great evil of man caused the attribute of of Hashem's mercy to be turned into the strict attribute of justice.<ref>Rashi Berashis 8:1</ref> Hashem decides to destroy the now corrupted world, giving a 120 year extension to the decree. This decree took place before the birth of Yefes.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 18:3">Rashi Berashis 18:3</ref> Noach finds favor in Hashem's eyes.