Bereshit (Reserved)
Bereshit is the first word of the Torah, in the first book of the Torah commonly referred to as Genesis. “Genesis” is a Greek word signifying “origin” or “beginning.” In Hebrew the book is called “Bereshit” (in the beginning). As the first book of the Bible, it sets the precedent of taking its title from the first significant word in the text itself, bereshit. The hebrew letter "bet" which is the first letter of the word bereshit, is shaped in such a way that it visually opens to the text which follows it, pointing our attention and focus to all the words of the Torah which follow.
Bereshit is a book about beginnings. It outlines the origins of the universe and of humankind, and it wrestles with the nature of the relationship between God’s creation and God. The book begins with an account of the Creation, the exile of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and the early history of humankind.
Israel
Our patriarch Jacob was blessed with the name "Israel". We are all the "Children of Israel," as all the tribes descend from Jacob's twelve sons, and Jacob's name was changed from Jacob to Israel, in the following verses of Genesis, Chapter 32:25 Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. 26 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he wrenched Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the socket of his hip was strained as he wrestled with him. 27 Then he said, “Let me go, for dawn is breaking.” But he answered, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 28 Said the other, “What is your name?” He replied, “Jacob.” 29 Said he, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed.”
First Letter and the last letter to form the word lev (Heart)
The first letter of the Torah is a "bet". This is the first letter of the first word, Bereshit, which we commonly translates as, "In the beginning...". The final letter in the Torah is a "lamed". This is the last letter of the last word, "Israel". When we combine the "lamed" with "bet" this forms the word "lev". The "bet" is pronounced as "vet". Lev means heart!
References to Heart are core to our foundation. "You shall take to heart these words I command you this day...". (Deut. 6:6)
Shema (Reserved)
Shema Yisrael (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל; "Hear, [O] Israel") are the first two words of a section of the Torah, and is the title of a prayer that serves as a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. The first verse encapsulates the monotheistic essence of Judaism: "Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one" שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ ה' אֶחָד), found in Deuteronomy 6:4, sometimes alternatively translated as "The LORD is our God, the LORD alone." Jews consider the Shema to be the most important part of the prayer service in Judaism, and its twice-daily recitation as a mitzvah. It is traditional for Jews to say the Shema as their last words, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night.
The Ten Commandments - Exodus
The Ten Commandments are a set of commandments which the Bible describes as having been given to Moses and the Israelites by God at biblical Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments are listed twice in the Hebrew Bible, first at Exodus 20:1–17, and then at Deuteronomy 5:4–21. Both versions state that God inscribed them on two stone tablets, which God gave to Moses. The commandments include instructions to worship only God, to honor parents, and to keep the Sabbath; as well as prohibitions against idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, theft, dishonesty, and coveting
The Ten Commandment - Deuteronomy
The Ten Commandments are a set of commandments which the Bible describes as having been given to Moses and the Israelites by God at biblical Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments are listed twice in the Hebrew Bible, first at Exodus 20:1–17, and then at Deuteronomy 5:4–21. Both versions state that God inscribed them on two stone tablets, which God gave to Moses. The commandments include instructions to worship only God, to honor parents, and to keep the Sabbath; as well as prohibitions against idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, theft, dishonesty, and coveting.
V'Ahavta
This prayer is a continuation of the Shema and is found in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 and Numbers 15:40-41. In traditional communities, it also includes Deuteronomy 11:13-21 (which explains the consequences for following or disregarding God’s commandments) and Numbers 15:37-39 (text regarding tzitzit).
