Genesis (בראשית)

Parashiot in Genesis (בראשית)

Bereshit (בראשית)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 1:1 - 6:8

Parashat Bereshit describes the creation of the world in six days, culminating in Shabbat, when Hashem rested. The Torah emphasizes humanity's unique role, as Adam and Chava are created in the Divine image and placed in Gan Eden, commanded not to eat from the Etz HaDa’at. Their transgression leads to exile, introducing mortality and labor. Kayin kills Hevel, demonstrating the consequences of sin and jealousy. The parasha concludes with the lineage from Adam to Noach, highlighting humanity’s moral decline. Orthodox interpretation focuses on human responsibility, free will, and the need for teshuvah, setting the foundation for Torah’s ethical framework.

Noach (נח)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 6:9 - 11:32

Parashat Noach recounts the story of Noah, a righteous man in a corrupt generation, whom Hashem instructs to build an ark to save his family and pairs of animals from a catastrophic flood. After the flood, Hashem establishes a covenant with Noah and all living creatures, symbolized by the rainbow, promising never to destroy the world again. The parasha also includes the episode of the Tower of Bavel, where human arrogance leads to divine intervention, scattering people across the earth and confounding their language. The portion emphasizes divine justice, human responsibility, and the importance of moral conduct in sustaining the world.

Lech Lecha (לך לך)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 12:1 - 17:27

In Parashat Lech Lecha, Hashem commands Avram (later Avraham) to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown land, promising to make him a great nation. Avram demonstrates unwavering faith by obeying without hesitation. Upon arriving in Canaan, Hashem reaffirms His covenant, promising the land to Avram’s descendants. The parasha also recounts Sarai’s descent to Egypt due to famine, Avram’s separation from Lot, the war of the kings, and the covenant between the pieces (Brit Bein HaBetarim), where Hashem foretells the Egyptian exile and eventual redemption. Avram and Sarai’s names are later changed, symbolizing their elevated spiritual roles. The parasha concludes with the mitzvah of brit milah (circumcision) as a sign of the eternal covenant between Hashem and Avraham’s descendants.

Vayera (וירא)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 18:1 - 22:24

Parashat Vayera (Genesis 18-22) begins with Avraham welcoming three angels disguised as travelers, demonstrating his dedication to hospitality. Hashem reveals His plan to destroy Sodom and Amorah, and Avraham pleads for mercy, arguing for justice. The parasha then details the destruction of Sodom and the rescue of Lot, followed by Avraham and Sarah’s journey to Gerar, where Sarah is taken by Avimelech but later returned unharmed. The climax is the Akeidah, the binding of Yitzchak, where Avraham’s unwavering faith is tested and affirmed. The parasha concludes with the genealogy of Rivkah, foreshadowing the future Jewish nation. Themes include divine justice, chessed, and emunah.

Chayei Sarah (חיי שרה)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 23:1 - 25:18

Parashat Chayei Sarah begins with Sarah’s death at 127 years old, and Avraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah in Chevron as a burial site, establishing Jewish ownership of the land. The parasha then details Avraham’s mission to find a wife for Yitzchak, sending his trusted servant Eliezer to Aram Naharaim. Eliezer devises a test to identify Rivka’s kindness, and she proves worthy by offering water to him and his camels. Rivka willingly returns with Eliezer to marry Yitzchak, demonstrating her commitment to Avraham’s spiritual legacy. The parasha concludes with Avraham’s death and Yitzchak and Yishmael burying him in Machpelah, reinforcing the continuity of the covenant.

Toldot (תולדות)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 25:19 - 28:9

Parashat Toldot recounts the story of Yitzchak and Rivka, their struggles with infertility, and the birth of their twin sons, Yaakov and Esav. Rivka receives a prophecy that the elder (Esav) will serve the younger (Yaakov). Esav becomes a hunter, while Yaakov is a dweller of tents. Esav sells his birthright to Yaakov for lentil stew, demonstrating his disregard for spiritual values. Later, Yitzchak intends to bless Esav, but Rivka orchestrates Yaakov’s reception of the blessings instead, recognizing Yaakov’s spiritual superiority. Esav’s anger forces Yaakov to flee to Lavan’s house. The parashah highlights divine providence in ensuring the continuity of Avraham’s legacy through Yaakov.

Vayetze (ויצא)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 28:10 - 32:3

In Parashat Vayetze, Yaakov flees from his brother Esav and journeys to Charan. He dreams of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, symbolizing divine providence and the future connection between the physical and spiritual realms. Yaakov meets Rachel at the well and agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage, but Lavan deceives him by substituting Leah. Yaakov then works another seven years for Rachel. Despite Lavan’s continued deception, Yaakov’s flocks prosper through divine intervention. After twenty years, Yaakov leaves Charan with his family and wealth, demonstrating Hashem’s fulfillment of His promise to protect and bless him. The parashah highlights divine providence, moral challenges, and the importance of perseverance in fulfilling one’s spiritual mission.

Vayishlach (וישלח)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 32:4 - 36:43

In Parashat Vayishlach, Yaakov prepares to reunite with Esav after years of separation, sending gifts to appease him and praying for divine protection. That night, he wrestles with a mysterious angel, emerging victorious but with a dislocated hip, earning the name Yisrael. The brothers meet peacefully, and Esav departs. Yaakov settles in Shechem, where his daughter Dinah is abducted by Shechem ben Chamor. Shimon and Levi retaliate by destroying the city. The parasha concludes with Rachel’s death during Binyamin’s birth, Yaakov’s return to his father Yitzchak, and Esav’s genealogy. Themes include divine protection, moral responsibility, and the consequences of violence.

Vayeshev (וישב)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 37:1 - 40:23

Parashat Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1–40:23) recounts Yosef’s rise and fall as Yaakov’s favored son, marked by his prophetic dreams and the jealousy of his brothers. The brothers sell Yosef into slavery, leading to his descent to Egypt, where he serves Potiphar but is falsely accused and imprisoned. The parasha also introduces Yehuda’s moral failing with Tamar and his subsequent teshuvah, contrasting with Yosef’s righteousness in resisting temptation. Orthodox interpretation emphasizes divine providence—Yosef’s trials foreshadow the eventual redemption of Bnei Yisrael, while Yehuda’s growth lays the foundation for Malchut Beit David. The narrative underscores hashgacha pratit (individual divine supervision) amid human choices.

Miketz (מקץ)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 41:1 - 44:17

Parashat Miketz continues the story of Yosef, who interprets Pharaoh’s dreams of seven fat and seven lean cows, predicting seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh elevates Yosef to viceroy to manage Egypt’s grain storage. During the famine, Yosef’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food. Yosef recognizes them but conceals his identity, testing their repentance for selling him by framing Binyamin for theft. Yehudah’s self-sacrifice for Binyamin demonstrates the brothers’ moral growth. The parashah highlights divine providence, showing how Yosef’s suffering ultimately leads to the salvation of his family and the fulfillment of God’s plan.

Vayigash (ויגש)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 44:18 - 47:27

In Parashat Vayigash, Yehuda passionately pleads with Yosef to free Binyamin, offering himself as a slave instead. Moved by his brothers’ repentance and unity, Yosef reveals his identity, explaining that his sale to Egypt was divinely orchestrated to save their family during the famine. Yaakov, initially hesitant, journeys to Egypt after receiving divine reassurance. The parashah highlights themes of teshuvah (repentance), divine providence, and family reconciliation. Orthodox interpretation emphasizes Yosef’s forgiveness as a model of overcoming personal grievances for a higher purpose, and Yaakov’s descent to Egypt as the beginning of the exile foretold to Avraham, setting the stage for Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus).

Vayechi (ויחי)

Verses: Genesis (בראשית) 47:28 - 50:26

Parashat Vayechi concludes Sefer Bereishit, focusing on Yaakov’s final days in Egypt. Before his death, Yaakov blesses Yosef’s sons, Ephraim and Menashe, elevating them to tribal status—unlike other grandchildren, who remain under their fathers’ tribes. Yaakov then delivers individualized blessings to each of his sons, prophetically addressing their unique roles and future destinies. He requests burial in Ma’arat HaMachpelah, fulfilled by Yosef and his brothers. The parasha ends with Yosef’s death, after he reassures his brothers of divine providence and makes them swear to bring his bones to Eretz Yisrael. The narrative underscores themes of continuity, divine promise, and the importance of burial in the ancestral land.

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