Drash on Bereshiet

Today marks the Shabbat Bereshiet. This is the 1st Shabbat of the New Torah Cycle. I was telling the Children in the Shabbat School a few weeks ago that we were almost at the end of the Torah. I asked them, "Do you know what we are going to do next?" - "What?" They asked with anticipation. "We are going to start all over again!" At first they didn't appear too please by this notion.

Therefore I asked them, "Have you ever seen a tree cut down before? or Have you ever looked at the log of a tree?" I explained that when you look at the end of the log, you will see many rings. Each ring represents a year in the tree's life. Each year, a new layer is added to the tree, and it grows layer by layer, and that's how a seed sprouts into a sapling, and how the young sapling, over time, turns into a tree like the mighty Redwood. I explained just how big Redwoods can get. Some are so big, that you can drive a car right through a tunnel in the middle of it!

I asked the Children, "Would you like to be big like that mighty Redwood?" "Yes!" Of course they did. The Question is, "Do you?" -- Spiritually speaking?

Of course you do, and that is why you are here today.

Each year we read the Torah, I see something I didn't see the year before, and the year before that, and even the things that I do see again, I am reminded of the important things, and as well, new layers are added to the previous foundations of my understanding. Although we read the same things every year, it is like reading a new book each time. This is because it is a Living Word.

A tree of life, it is, to those who take hold of it,
and all who cling to it find happiness.
　
Its ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all its paths are peace.

Therefore, let us Rejoice in the Torah - Simchat Torah, as we begin again - Amein?
　
As I began my reading of The Bereshiet again this year, I did find something new right away, something that I had read many times before, but did not see the connection until this time.

Let me explain:

Last week I spoke about Ancient Religion and I taught that Religion has always been Prosperity based, where Faith in HaShem has always been reconciliation based.

Now you may be wondering, "How does he know anything about ancient Religion? He wasn't there." Well, that's true, I wasn't there, but I know someone who was. To be honest, I don't even know how I know what I know half the time. Nevertheless, the Ruach does and He teaches me.

As I was reading The Bereshiet I came across Chapter 4, the story of Cain and Able. Here, it teaches that Abel's sacrifice was accepted by the LORD, but Cain's was not. The LORD was not angry with Cain, but attempted to correct him by teaching him the proper way.

Genesis 4:4-7

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering; 5 but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee is its desire, but thou mayest rule over it.'

As I read, these words echoed in my mind, "Sin coucheth at the door?" and "Thou mayest rule over it." In Hebrew thought, this is referred to as the "Yetzer Ra" or "The Evil Inclination." This is to say that, when we do not accept the LORD's correction, Sin lays wait for us to take rule over us. All the while, if you resist HaSatan, "Yetzer Tov," or "Incline towards Righteousness," the Evil One will flee from you. Therefore Sin will not rule over you, but you will rule over it."

This is where I saw the connection to The Brit Hadasha.

James 4:1-10

1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

This time, I saw a direct connection between Genesis 4 and James 4 - Amazing!

What happened to Cain right after the LORD's attempt at reason, and correction?

Genesis 4:8-12

8 And Cain spoke unto Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the LORD said unto Cain: 'Where is Abel thy brother?' And he said: 'I know not; am I my brother's keeper?' 10 And He said: 'What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground. 11 And now cursed art thou from the ground, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.'

What a tragic story? Here are two men. One who loves the LORD, and offers the first and best of his herd, and One that does not offer his best. Now, the Righteous One is slain? How does the Prosperity Gospel explain this one? The one who is wicked is cursed nonetheless, but God has mercy on him, and offers protection for the murderer.

Does this sound just a little unjust?

Who are we to council God? I think He might have just a little better understanding about this situation than we have. I'm just sayin'.

Therefore Cain, the one who had a little, because of his actions, even the little was taken away from him. The soil would no longer produce for him. All the while, although Abel's story was tragic, HE was the first to be ushered into the Kingdom - The first to be reconciled unto God.

His ways are truly above our ways, and His thoughts beyond searching out. Nevertheless, when we ask, and we do not ask amiss, He is willing and able to forgive us, and teach us His ways. Let us not be like Cain, and humble ourselves in the sight of The LORD, and He will life up our countenance.

Therefore, Chaverim, this year, as we study Torah together, let us once again ask The LORD to teach us His Ways, leaving behind the ways of man, and to reach up to the Higher Calling.

May The LORD Bless you by the reading of His Word.