שַׁבַּת בְּרֵאשִׁית : Shabbat Bereshit (Shabbat Mevarchim / Machar Chodesh)
Triennial Torah Reading
Year 2, Genesis 2:4 to 4:26
This Shabbat, 29 Tishrei 5787 (October 10, 2026), we celebrate Shabbat Bereshit (שַׁבַּת בְּרֵאשִׁית), rolling the Torah scroll back to the beginning to start Year 2 of the triennial cycle. This Shabbat is also Shabbat Mevarchim (שַׁבַּת מְבָרְכִים), as we bless the incoming month of Marcheshvan, which begins with a two-day Rosh Chodesh on Sunday and Monday. Because Shabbat coincides with the day immediately preceding Rosh Chodesh, it is designated as Machar Chodesh (מָחָר חֹדֶשׁ, "Tomorrow is the New Moon").
The Year 2 triennial reading moves from the cosmic canvas of creation to the intimate drama of human relationship and moral choice. The text recounts the formation of humanity from the dust of the ground, the breath of life breathed into Adam, the planting of the Garden of Eden, the creation of Chava, the fateful eating from the Tree of Knowledge, the tragic confrontation between Kayin and Hevel, and the birth of Shet.
Below, we look at the core themes of this sacred day through three unique lenses.
The Breath in the Dust: Fragility and Eternity
The Torah describes the creation of the first human: "And Adonai G-d formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7).
As we learn from Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz, this verse captures the eternal duality of the human condition. We are fashioned from low, perishable earth, yet animated by the transcendent breath of the Creator. We are neither purely celestial beings nor merely advanced animals. This tension means our spiritual task is not to deny our physical nature, but to elevate our earthly existence, using our hands, speech, and daily deeds to house the divine breath within.
Ayekah: The Call to Responsibility
Following the transgression in the garden, Adonai calls out to Adam with a haunting, single question: "Where are you?" (אַיֶּכָּה, Ayekah) (Genesis 3:9).
As we learn from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, G-d did not ask this question to ascertain physical coordinates; the Omniscient Creator already knew where Adam hid behind the trees. The divine call was an invitation to moral responsibility. Instead of taking ownership of his choice, Adam blamed Chava, Chava blamed the serpent, and later Kayin deflected with the evasive plea, "Am I my brother's keeper?" True spiritual maturity begins when we cease blaming circumstance or others, step out of hiding, and answer the call of Ayekah with personal accountability.
Unpacking the Tishrei Suitcase
With Shabbat Bereshit, the intensive festival season of Tishrei draws to a close, opening the door to Marcheshvan, a month without a single Yom Tov.
As we learn from Sivan Rahav Meir, this Shabbat marks the true test of all our holiday prayers: how do we integrate the inspiration of the High Holy Days into the mundane workweek? The awe of Rosh Hashanah, the solemnity of Yom Kippur, and the joy of Sukkot were not intended to remain confined within the walls of the synagogue. Shabbat Bereshit invites us to unpack the suitcase of Tishrei, infusing our homes, workplaces, and daily routines with the patience, gratitude, and renewal we cultivated over the festival season.
Haftarah Reading: Sh'muel Alef 20:18-42 (Haftarat Machar Chodesh)
Because this Shabbat falls on the eve of Rosh Chodesh, the regular Haftarah for Bereshit is replaced by the reading of Machar Chodesh (מָחָר חֹדֶשׁ). The reading recounts the covenant of steadfast loyalty between Yehonatan and David as they prepare for the new moon:
וַיֹּֽאמֶר־ל֥וֹ יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן מָחָ֣ר חֹ֑דֶשׁ וְנִפְקַדְתָּ֔ כִּ֥י יִפָּקֵ֖ד מוֹשָׁבֶֽךָ׃
"Then Yehonatan said to him: Tomorrow is the new moon; and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty." (Sh'muel Alef 20:18)
The reading concludes with Yehonatan reaffirming the enduring bond of mutual love, trust, and divine presence between their families:
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוֹנָתָ֛ן לְדָוִ֖ד לֵ֣ךְ לְשָׁל֑וֹם אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨עְנוּ שְׁנֵ֜ינוּ אֲנַ֗חְנוּ בְּשֵׁ֤ם יְהוָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יְהוָ֞ה יִֽהְיֶ֣ה ׀ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֗ךָ וּבֵ֥ין זַרְעִ֛י וּבֵ֥ין זַרְעֲךָ֖ עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃
"And Yehonatan said to David: Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of Adonai, saying: Adonai shall be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed forever." (Sh'muel Alef 20:42)
Questions to Contemplate
Hearing the echo of Adonai's call of "Ayekah" (Where are you?), in what relationship or responsibility am I being summoned to step forward and take full ownership?
How can I take one specific insight or feeling from the Tishrei holidays and build it into a practical habit for the regular weeks ahead?
Compiled by Rav Baruch Shamash