Bereishis Summary

SUMMARY OF THE TORAH PORTION

On the first day of creation, G-d makes light. On the second day a firmament to separate between the upper and lower waters. On the third day dry land and vegetation appear. On the fourth day the sun, moon and other celestial bodies. On the fifth day G-d creates fish and birds. On the sixth day animals and mankind. And on the seventh day G-d rests from creating.

G-d places Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He commands them to work and guard the Garden and to eat of all its fruit except for the fruit of the trees of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and of Life. Adam gives names to all the animals. The serpent entices Eve to eat from the forbidden fruit and she also persuades Adam to eat it. G-d punishes the serpent, and the ground, and banishes Adam and Eve from the Garden.

Adam and Eve have two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain becomes a farmer and Abel a shepherd. They both bring offerings to G-d, but G-d only turns to Abel’s offering. In a fit of jealousy Cain slays his brother, and is then punished by G-d and banished to wander the earth. Cain’s descendants are listed in the Torah. Adam and Eve have another son, Seth. His descendants and their life spans are listed, culminating in Noach. When Noach is 500 years old he has three sons, Shem, Cham and Yaphet.

As mankind increases upon the earth they rebel against G-d and become involved in adultery. G-d says that from this point on human lives will be limited to 120 years. G-d decides to blot out all the inhabitants from the earth, except for Noach who finds favour in His eyes.