B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning
Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8
Day #5: Genesis 4:19–22
4:19 Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. 22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.
Today’s Meditation:
After Cain moves away and leaves the presence of G-d and his family, Scripture begins to list a line of his descendants. In this relatively short reading, we learn a little about Tubal Cain, “a forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron.” If you begin researching this, you may find that it was thought that Tubal Cain was a blacksmith who made weapons. Ironic, don’t you think? His distant great-grandfather, Cain, commits the first documented murder in the Bible. Now his great-grandson (to the 5th generation) is producing weapons. Maybe for defense, maybe not.
Hashem specifically gives us the commandment not to murder. And yet, we see how early on in the history of mankind this commandment is broken, and sin persists. Don’t you ever wonder how man so quickly and easily began to sin, even when Hashem’s presence was still evident? Just something to think about.
Today’s Challenge:
So, maybe you have a great time praying with Hashem, or you are in a church/synagogue service and really feel His presence in
that place. But you leave, and five minutes later, you do something sinful? I’ve been there and done it. My challenge today is to help you become more aware of not sinning. Even if for just a day.
