בראש׳ת/In The Beginning

Generally, when we read the opening verses of the Torah, in this portion of Bereisheet, many times we look at it simply as, “The Creation Story.” However, like all portions of Scripture, Bereisheet is much deeper than any “creation story” - especially in regards to the myths and legends that many try to categorize the Genesis account with. In other words, the “Creation Story” of the Torah is not to be considered a myth, legend or fairytale - nor, symbolic or allegory. The account written of here in this portion is to be considered nothing but the truth and the whole truth, because it was spoken from the mouth of Adonai Himself. Therefore, when we look at the words written here in Bereisheet, it should be understood that the Scriptures begin, not from any one man’s perspective (in this case Moses) of G-D. Instead, the Scriptures begin with Divine declaration - “In the beginning God…” Yet, how do these words written in our portion reveal to us Adonai’s plan of salvation for mankind, and how do they point to the Messiah?

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Early Jewish writings record that, “All the prophets, all of them, did not prophesy except of the day of the Messiah” - Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 99a. Rav Shaul earlier declared that, “Messiah is the goal of Torah as a means to righteousness for everyone who keeps trusting” - Romans 10:4. Early translators of the Scriptures also taught that the words, “Bereisheet bara Elohim” (In the Beginning God created) can also be translated to say, “It was created for the Head” with a simple rearranging of the words - “Berosh yitbara.” Early sages say that these words are indeed referring to the Messiah. In addition, the word Bereisheet is said that it reveals to us to the time when the Messiah would come - in the month of Tishri. If you rearrange the word Bereisheet, it can also be translated to say, “beTishri,” which means - “In Tishri.” It is in the month of Tishri when we celebrate the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles). Thus, it is believed by early sages that the Messiah was going to appear during the Feast of Sukkot, which according to the Brit Chadashah, is the exact time when Messiah Yeshua was born. As it is written, "In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God" - John 1:1. John would not only go on to say that the Word (G-D) became flesh, but he would also reveal that He came during Sukkot (Tabernacles) just as the Torah promised. As it is written, "And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth" - John 1:14. Some translations say "...and dwelt among us" or, "and pitched His tent among us." Yet, the literal translation is "tabernacle among us." This is an indication of when the Messiah (Adonai in the flesh) was born. He was born during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

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In the Brit Chadashah, Rav Shaul would write concerning Messiah - “He exists before everything, and in Him all holds together. He is the head of the body, His community. He is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead - so that He might come to have first place in all things”- Colossians 1:17-18. What is interesting, is that the Hebrew word for “Word” is davar. Amazingly, Both John and Rav Shaul teach that Yeshua is indeed the Word (HaDavar) of Adonai. Thus, essentially teaching that Yeshua is G-D in-fleshed. While this may be unbelievable to many non-Messianic Jews, it is believable to us Messianic Jews (as well as Gentile believers). In addition, this truth was not foreign to early sages, who fully expected a Divine Messiah to come from Heaven to redeem mankind. This belief has sadly become lost among many non-Messianic Jews in recent times, but it is not entirely hopeless. The Hebrew word “davar” not only means “word,” but it also means “substance” or “matter.” This is why in the Hebrew translation of John - it is written, “Bereisheet hahah hadavar, vehadavar hayah im haElohim, v’hu hadavar hayah Elohim” - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and He, the Word was God”- John 1:1. In other words, this “word” this “being/substance” was tangible, and it simply became flesh - Adonai in-fleshed. As it is written, “And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us”- John 1:14a. 

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Genesis 1:1 lays out for us the foundation of the promise of the Messiah and Adonai's plan for our redemption through Him. The Brit Chadashah (specifically John 1:1-14) reveals for us the fulfillment of the promise of the Messiah, who would come in the form of man to not only dwell among us, but to also save us from our sins. Ultimately, this promise was fulfilled in Messiah Yeshua, the Living Word of Adonai. 

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Shalom