Breishit: The Serpent and The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

Genesis 1:1-6:8.

OVERVIEW

In the beginning, Hashem creates the entire universe, including time itself, out of nothingness. This process of creation continues for six days. On the seventh day, Hashem rests, bringing into existence the spiritual universe of Shabbos, which returns to us every seven days. Adam and Eve - the Human pair - are placed in the Garden of Eden. Eve is enticed by the serpent to eat from the forbidden fruit of the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil," and in turn gives the fruit to Adam. By absorbing "sin," Adam and Eve render themselves incapable of remaining in the spiritual paradise of Eden and are banished. Death and hard work (both physical and spiritual) now enter the world, together with pain in childbirth. Now begins the struggle to correct the sin of Adam and Eve, which will be the main subject of world history. Cain and Abel, the first two children of Adam and Eve, bring offerings to Hashem. Abel gives the finest of his flock, and his offering is accepted, but Cain gives inferior produce and his offering is rejected. In the ensuing quarrel, Cain kills Abel and is condemned to wander the earth. The Torah traces the genealogy of the other children of Adam and Eve, and the descendants of Cain until the birth of Noah. After the death of Sheis, Mankind descends into evil, and Hashem decides that He will blot out Man in a flood which will deluge the world. However, one man, Noah, finds favor with Hashem.

Overview courtesy of Rabbis Newman and Sinclair, Ohr Somayach