Why Does the Torah Begin With בראשית

Shavua Tov-

I have decided to use “Twerski on Chumash” as my primary commentary on Parshat Shavua. These are the comments of Rabbi Dr. Avraham Twerski, who recently passed away. They are excellent and relevant.

The first question raised by Rabbi Twerski is why it is necessary to even have the Book of Bereisheet as part of the Torah. If the Torah is basically a book of laws and the 613 Mitzvot, why not focus on these Mitzvot?

The answer is that although the first book only consists of three Mitzvot (Having children, circumcision, and the prohibition of eating the sciatic vein), it is an integral part of the Torah. It is known as ספר ישר, the Book of the Upright.”

The point emphasized here is that the Torah is meaningless without first teaching Midot. We learn ספר בראשית in order to become acquainted with the matriarchs and patriarchs. We learn of their very real struggles, and how they dealt with them in an exemplary fashion. We must first learn how to be ישר, honest and upright before beginning Torah study. This is why the Torah begins with ספר בראשית.