Day 27
Building Blocks for a Jewish Home
In loving memory of Meir ben Avraham and Sheena Bat Ben Zion z"l. Dedicated by their grandchildren.
Where does the Torah start? In the beginning – literally! The first word is Bereshit, which translates as “In the beginning.” Yet, with further analysis, we discover an even earlier starting point to the Torah.
Every letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a name, numerical value, and shape, and each of these factors is significant. The first letter of the Torah is bet and its name is spelled with three letters: bet-yud-tav. Together, they spell the word bayit meaning “home.” So that actually the first word found in the Torah is bayit. What is a bayit? And what is so important about it that it should serve as the Torah’s beginning?
Our forefather, Jacob, was travelling to find a wife and establish a home. He stopped for the night and “he took from the stones of the area and placed it by his head.” 1 He took three stones, but they were not simply stones. They symbolised the three Patriarch
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Rabbi Hershel Becker
Rabbi Hershel D. Becker received his ordination from Rabbinical Seminary of America in 1979 and has subsequently achieved a reputation as a renowned Jewish educator and orator. Since moving to Miami in 1986 he has been spiritual guide and mentor to the South Dade Jewish community. As Rabbi of Young Israel of Kendall. Rabbi Becker and his wife, Rebbetzin Sima Becker are dynamic and inspiring Jewish leaders who are able to lead by example.
