The weekly reading for the week of 6 Heshvan, 5767 - October 28, 2006 Parashah: Noach Genesis 6:9 to 11:32; Haftarah: Ashkenazi Isaiah 54:1 to 55:5 and Sephardic Isaiah 54:1-10; Mei Kituvim: Daniel 4:1-37; Brit Chadashah: John 6:1-71



Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings below)

The Bagel: Nimrod's Scepter.

"The beginning of his kingdom was Babel...." (Genesis 10:10).

Nimrod represents the penultimate paradigm for oppressive regimes. Think of it, he had the whole world totally unified. But it was a stolen unity. G-d created humanity with a unified language, culture, and harmony. But since the Garden things went awry. Even the discipline of the Flood didn't make a difference. The whole world went after him. Scripture is careful not to call Nimrod "king" or "the king" instead it refers to "his kingdom." Why? Because G-d is King. The formula for Jewish prayer: Baruch Ata Adonay Eloqeinu Melek Ha Olam.... informs us that G-d alone is King of the universe.

Nimrod and his environment stood as a possible candidate as an earthly model to help our understanding of Adonay as the King. Nimrod ruled over all humanity. Everything had an absolute unity in Nimrod. Surely, this must be the model of G-d as the King? Except Nimrod was immoral, prideful, and sought to usurp G-d from His rightful place as King of the nations.

Nimrod was a "mighty hunter" before Adonay. What does this expression mean? Some believe it was that he was a hunter of souls. Hunting in Jewish tradition is not a virture, but rather it serves as a reminder of Nimrod's oppressive nature. He was like the Nazi SS that hunted for Jewish souls. Thus Scripture refers to his rule as being like a kingdom, but which could not serve as a biblical model for G-d as King. His scepter was defective. The mighty tower with Nimrod enthroned on top of it represented a defiance of G-d's rule.

G-d's man was Abraham, who forms the virtuous man in contrast to Nimrod. Abraham's character was transmitted through his progeny. We read of his grandson, Jacob wrestling with the Man by the ford of the Jabbok (Genesis 32:22-32). This was not the heights of defiance with a tower for a scepter, but on the humble ground that was level. G-d and Jacob were on a level playing field. Jacob was humbled, but he also prevailed. His scepter? - the staff upon which he leaned.

Cream Cheese: Which scepter? - the tower of Babel or the Staff of Jacob?

• Torah:
  Genesis 6:9 to 11:32.
  
• Haftarah:
  Isaiah 54:1 to 55:5.
  
• Mei Kituvim:
  Daniel 4:1-37.
  
• Brit Chadashah:
  John 6:1-71.