Behind the Lines

THE STAMP OF HASHEM IS EMES

When the Torah describes the creation of the world, it begins with the words, Bereishis bara Elokim. The last letters spell out the word ‘emes,’ which means truth. Because in this world, truth can be very hidden. But in the Torah it is revealed.

TRUTH DOES NOT CHANGE

The word ‘emes’-truth is made up of the first, middle and last letters of the alef-beis to indicate that truth does not change. Beginning, middle, and end, past, present and future. Truth is always truth.

FIVE TIMES LIGHT

Rabbi Shimon taught that in the story of the creation, the word ‘light’ appears 5 times, one for each of the Five Books of the Torah.

FIVE KINDS OF LIGHT

He also taught that there are five kinds of light. With the first G-d created the world. After Adam sinned, G-d hid this light in the Torah. That is the second kind of light. The third is the light of Teshuva, because Teshuva hastens the Redemption. The fourth is the light of Geula (Redemption) which shone from the beginning of time. The fifth is the light of the Bais Hamikdosh, may it be rebuilt speedily, Amen.

Reish Lakish said, “The moon was only created so that people could learn Torah at night!”
(Eruvin 65a)