Close To Torah

Parshas Bereishis is jam-packed with beautiful lessons that make up the physical and spiritual foundation of the world. In the first few verses the Torah uses the word “ohr, light” five times. Verse 3 thru 5 read: “Hashem said, ‘let there be (1) ohr, light’ and there was (2) ohr, light. Hashem saw that (3) ha’ohr, the light, was good and He separated between (4) ha’ohr, the light, and the darkness. God called (5) la’ohr, to the light, ‘day’ and the dark He called ‘night’. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 3:5) states that these five occurrences of ohr refer to the Five Books of the Torah. Rabbeinu Bechaya adds a most fundamental understanding to this Midrash.

The Five Books

The Midrash states: (1) “Let there be ohr,” refers to Sefer Bereishis which discusses Hashem creating the world. (2) “There was ohr,” refers to Sefer Shemos in which the Jews were redeemed from Egypt and had much light in their vicinity. (Note here that the this makes up one verse. This is because as the Ramban explains, the purpose of creation [Bereishis] was to create a free Jewish nation that would accept the Torah and build a Mikdash [Shemos].) (3) “Hashem saw ha’ohr,” refers to Sefer Vayikra which is filled with numerous laws. (4) “Hashem separated between ha’ohr,” refers to Sefer Bamidbar in which the men were separated from the boys, those who merited to enter Eretz Yisrael were separated from those who would die in the desert. (Note again the fact that these two ohr occurrences are together. This will be discussed below.) (5) “Hashem called la’ohr day,” refers to Devarim which is full of commandments. Rabbeinu Bechaya comments that these five lights refer to the light of creation, redemption, repentance, Beis HaMikdash and Torah and mitzvos. What does this mean?

Five Lights

Life is filled with inspiration. Hashem has embedded into the Torah the greatest treasure of instructions as to how one can succeed in life. Each light represents a significant part of Torah thought and that which one can accomplish in life.

Bereishis and Shemos

The light of Berieshis refers to inspiration for creativity and originality. Each person has a light which he or she is meant to bring to the world. This is the creative power of innovation, building a family and developing ideas. The light of redemption refers to the hope that each person has for something that is beyond their grasp. When we turn to Hashem to ask for help He grants us the inspiration to achieve that which we lack. The first two ohr appear together because true creation cannot be accomplished without Hashem’s help.

Vayikra and Bamidbar

The light of repentance is a necessary ingredient because we are human. Humans make mistakes. Mistakes are acceptable; the greatest mistake is not to admit the mistake and take responsibility. Hashem gives us the opportunity to correct our faults and to make amends. Rebbeinu Yonah in Shaarei Teshuva explains that the way to do a complete repentance is to learn the laws and make sure to keep them. This is why Sefer Vayikra is filled with laws between man and God and man and his fellow.

The Beis Hamikdash is a place where Hashem dwells. This is a message that our personal lives should be imbued with holiness. The Midrash explains the verse commanding the Jews to make the Mishkan as commanding them to create a place in one’s heart for Hashem. Sefer Bamidbar is also called the Book of Numbers by the rabbis because of the many times that the Jews were counted throughout its chapters. Thus Bamidbar celebrates the individual and the goal of being a resting place for the Divine Presence; creating our personal Beis HaMikdash. The last two ha’ohr appear in one verse and with the Hey before it to show the importance of this goal. Man must be able to repent and admit mistakes in order to build a resting place for Hashem. Indeed, the physical Beis HaMikdash was used primarily for sinners who brought sacrifices to repent to God.

Devarim Unification

Finally, the last ohr is called, la’ohr, to the light with a lamed. It get a verse by itself because of its significance. Devarim teaches about the importance of the ingredient that brings light to the world, the Holy Torah and Hashem’s mitzvos, commandments. Devarim is the recounting of Moshe of the entire Torah in which Moshe implores the Jews to live a happy and productive life by following the Torah and mitzvos. The Torah and mitzvos are the light itself as Chazal explain that Hashem hid the ultimate light inside the Torah itself. Hence, the la’ohr, to the light hints to the fact that all goals point to this objective, for man to connect to Torah and to its beautiful mitzvos. May our lights of inspiration and happiness shine brightly as we continue our quest for greatness and success in life.

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