Community Torah Corner - October 17, 2025

This week’s parshah is Bereshit, the beginning of the Torah. God creates the world in six days and rests on the seventh. The Torah opens with arguably one of the most famous lines, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

At first glance, this seems simple, the first act of creation was just making light, but then why was the sun, moon, and stars not created until the fourth day? What is the light referencing too if not the sun?

The light being created was not a physical one, but spiritual one, The light of Hashem being spread across the Earth. This one line shows us that Hashem is around us and can be found in even the darkest corners of the world, he fills up the world we live in.

When we read Bereshit, we are not just reading about the beginning of the world. We are reading about the beginning of ourselves. Every year, as we start learning the Torah again, we also start fresh. The first thing God creates is light, and for a reason. He did not create power, wealth, or even people first. He spread his light, symbolizing clarity and goodness, before everything else to remind us that no matter how difficult and hopeless we feel, Hashem’s light is always there to guide us and offer us clarity when our judgement is clouded.

This is a reminder that living in Hashem’s image is being honest, kind, and bringing positivity wherever we go. Even when the world feels chaotic and dark, just like before when the Earth was described as unformed and empty, we have the power through our words and actions to also “let there be light.” 

Just like God created light with words, our words can also create light in the world. A simple kind word or an encouraging comment can bring light to someone else’s darkness.

So, as we begin the new year and repeat the Torah readings, let us all try to find ways to bring more light into our world, and ourselves.

Have a great day and Shabbat Shalom!