Bereshit
In the Beginning
Seed Level Energy for the Year
This week's portion of Bereshit is the first portion in the Book of Genesis - the first book of the Five Books of Moses - and begins the annual cycle of Torah reading. Bereshit means "the beginning" in Hebrew, and recounts the story of creation. By connecting to the story of creation and Day One, we are able to once again return to a state of Oneness and Unity that existed prior to separation and division between people and things.
Bereshit is the seed portion of the Torah. The same way that an apple seed contains within it the entire tree, Bereshit contains the wisdom and energy of the entire Torah. As the annual Torah unfolds along the timeline of our lives, we have the opportunity to change and grow spiritually every year following the High holidays and the period of self-reflection and repentance.
Our ability to reconnect to the seed level and a state of perfected unity every year, with the new Torah cycle and Bereshit, provides us with hope and certainty that we can always come back and reestablish a connection with G-d and our highest state of consciousness. Bereshit shares a root with "rosh", which means head, further supporting our connection to the beginning. By connecting to the reading of Bereshit with positive consciousness, we can set the stage for our entire year.
The Light Before the Sun
Before the sun and stars were created, G-d said, “Let there be light.” The Kabbalists explain that this “Light” was not physical illumination, but Or HaGanuz — the hidden spiritual light that still shines within every moment of clarity, kindness, and creation. When we connect to Bereshit, we draw from that same hidden light to awaken purpose and inspiration for the entire year ahead.
The Large Bet
The word Bereshit is the first word of the portion and begins with a large Hebrew letter "Bet". As a larger than normal first letter of the Torah, it signifies great energy and importance. The sages say that the world was created with the Hebrew letters and that each letter came before G-d to plead their case as to why they should be chosen for the job. When Bet had its turn, it said it should be chosen because it was also the letter that begins the Hebrew word "bracha" which means "blessing".
It is through our exercise of free will, acting proactively and connecting to our highest selves, that we are able to bring blessings in our lives. Blessings are the positive effects which we receive through planting good seeds and sharing with others. The actions and consciousness that bring blessings into the world provide a foundation for living a happy life.
Interestingly, the letter Bet can be viewed as three Hebrew letter Vavs - top, bottom, and back - each Vav having a numerical value of 6, thus totaling 18. This is the same numerical value for the word "chai" meaning life. The Torah is often considered the rulebook for life and enters the world through the letter Bet. The letter Bet is open on the left, in the direction Hebrew is read. This hints to us that when we begin the new Torah cycle with the letter Bet and reconnect to the unity of G-d, we should look forward to a new year filled with opportunity and an opening for growth, rather than dwell upon our prior actions.
Tree of Life Consciousness
Following the description of the seven Days of Creation, the portion continues with the story of Adam and Eve. We read about their transgression when they eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the only tree in the Garden of Eden from which G-d has expressly forbidden them to eat. As a result, Eve is told she will experience pain in childbearing, the serpent who encouraged the sin is cursed to crawl on its belly, and the ground is cursed, requiring Adam to toil with hard labor in order to eat.
This well known story is found in the first portion of the Torah to set the stage for humanity's ability to exercise free will and experience the consequences of our choices. The lesson here is very clear. The desire and temptation to eat forbidden fruit in various aspects of our lives is always present. The forbidden fruit can take the form of harmful habits, an unhealthy relationship, or an opportunity that offers immediate gratification without lasting value. We have the free will to choose the easy, short term pleasure represented by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, or we can exercise restriction and take an alternate path, connecting to the Tree of Life and accessing this higher state of consciousness.
The story is not meant to make us fear G-d, but rather to empower us and show us how we can become like G-d by making the right decisions in life, which are often difficult and not always immediately gratifying. When presented with opportunities, we should ask ourselves whether our choice will lead us toward Tree of Knowledge or Tree of Life consciousness, and whether it will bring lasting blessing.
Practical Tools for the Week
1. Plant one intentional seed. Choose one quality you want to grow this year, such as patience, generosity, or gratitude. Each morning, identify one small action that will bring that quality into your day. A seed grows through consistent care.
2. Pause before reacting. When you feel an urge to react, take three slow breaths. Ask yourself: “Will this choice bring only immediate satisfaction, or will it create lasting good?” Let that pause make room for a more conscious response.
3. Bring hidden light into a moment. Each day, perform one act of kindness without seeking recognition. Offer encouragement, listen fully, or help someone with a task. Notice how a simple action can bring light into an ordinary moment.
Resources & Credits
The Weekly Wisdom emails and the ideas presented herein are compiled from the following sources:
Gutnick Edition Chumash with Rashi's commentary, Targum Onkelos, and commentary anthologized from Classic Rabbinic Texts and the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Apples from the Orchard - Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria on the Weekly Torah Portion
Kabbalistic Bible - Kabbalah Centre International, Inc
The Zohar - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, various translations
Mysteries of the Kabbalah - Marc-Alain Ouaknin
Wikipedia
Other online written and video content that discusses and shares Kabbalistic Wisdom