Beresheit: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Shabbat Shalom!

This week’s Torah portion recounts the story of the first death: Abel’s murder by his brother Cain. The Midrash states that Adam and Eve sat by Abel’s body, lost and devastated. How could they move forward in such a dark world?

After two years, our hostages have finally been released! As their stories of captivity come to light, many of us may ask how there is any moving forward after two years of loss, captivity, and darkness. But this week’s Torah portion offers a much-needed dose of hope!

Join Christian Friends of Israeli Communities for a new Torah portion cycle!

Related News

A Letter from Shmuel, June 2026

From the moment we first recounted the story of the Exodus from Egypt, storytelling has always been one of our greatest strengths and an important mechanism in carrying our national memory from generation to generation.

Jun 10, 2026

Gilgal: Where Israel Came Home at Last!

Forty years after the Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt, an entirely new generation, led by Moses’ disciple Joshua, finally entered the Land of Israel, reaching a long-awaited milestone!

Apr 9, 2026

Telling Our Story

The Seder tells the story of the Jewish people’s past but also points to their future. Though they remember the bitterness of slavery in Egypt they look forward to a rebuilt Israel with the Seder’s final statement of “Next Year in Jerusalem!”

Apr 6, 2026