As we begin to read the Torah afresh for 5762, we realize the eternal truth of the narrative of Bereshit; the relevancy of its understanding of human nature. At the conclusion of the Bereshit narrative, the Torah states, "The L-rd saw how great was man's wickedness on earth, and how every plan devised by his mind was nothing but evil all the time."

This evil is reflected in the lack of responsibility of Adam and Eve for their wrongdoing. Adam and Eve represent spiritual immaturity. Each one blames the other party for the sin of Eden. The evil is reflected in the uncontrollable rage of Cain. Jealousy consumes Cain so he is capable of murder. Evil expresses itself in the violence of Lamech. Lamech is proud he is sophisticated as a high-tech killer. He boasts about his ability to kill. Evil manifests itself in the strange, aberrant sexual attraction of god-like beings to human women at the beginning of time.

G-d is frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned with humanity. This is the ultimate theme of Bereshit.

However, there is another side to the creation of humanity. We are capable of civilization. The narrative shares with us the names of Yabal, the father of pastoral herding. The domestication of animals reflects a tremendous advance in culture. This process allows humanity to dwell in tents and rear animals. We read of Tubalcain, who is able to master the use of copper and iron. Historically, we think of the arrival of the Iron Age and how that transformed civilization. The Torah presents the name of Yuval, a very popular name in Israel today, who is the father of the lyre and the pipe. Where would humanity be without the arts, without the sound of music and the splash of color. Naamah is presented as the mother of culture. Her very names means "pleasant one". Once humanity has achieved a high level of civilization, then we are capable of a higher spiritual relationship with G-d. Enosh is the first person to invoke the appropriate name of G-d. Enosh represents the stirrings of humanity for a richer inner life. Enoch is said to have walked with G-d. The tension of the narratives of Genesis presents us the two sides of humanity.

Bereshit shares the eternal drama of humanity, the drama that continues in 2001. Unfortunately, the conflict between Good and Evil is as intense today as at the dawn of time. The Evil that humans can do to one another is as real today as it was at the birth of the first man and woman. Deceit and deception are the children of the deeds of Adam and Eve. Conflict among brothers and warfare is sadly part of our daily lives. As Lamech boasted with pride of his technology, the technology of war continues to develop with "new advances". The way we use our sexual nature continues to haunt us. The simple narrative of Genesis is as timely and as timeless as ever.