1. Basic English References
The Torah begins with the famous words of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational verse has been the subject of extensive commentary, most notably by Rashi on Genesis 1:1, who asks why the Torah does not begin with the first commandment given to Israel.
The story of the binding of Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19 is one of the most dramatic narratives in all of scripture. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son is discussed at length in Sanhedrin 89b, where the Talmud explores the theological implications of this test of faith.
The book of Exodus describes the giving of the Torah at Sinai. According to Exodus 20:2, the first of the Ten Commandments begins with "I am the LORD your God." The Mekhilta on this verse provides extensive midrashic interpretation, while Maimonides in his Mishneh Torah, Laws of the Foundations of the Torah 1:1, considers this the foundational positive commandment.
2. Talmudic References
The Talmud in Berakhot 2a opens with the question "From what time may one recite the Shema in the evening?" This seemingly simple question launches one of the most profound discussions in rabbinic literature. The Gemara in Berakhot 6a teaches that prayer is one of the things that stands at the height of the world, yet people treat it lightly.
The famous dispute between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel regarding the lighting of Hanukkah candles is found in Shabbat 21b. Beit Shammai says one should start with eight candles and decrease each night, while Beit Hillel says one should start with one and increase. The halakha follows Beit Hillel.
In Pirkei Avot 1:1, we learn that Moses received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua, Joshua to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets to the Men of the Great Assembly. Pirkei Avot 2:4 teaches: "Do not say 'When I have free time I will study,' for perhaps you will never have free time."
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The opening of Genesis 1:1 describes creation. The binding narrative in Genesis 22 is foundational to Jewish theology. And the laws of Shabbat 73a enumerate the thirty-nine categories of forbidden labor.
Rabbi Akiva's famous statement is found in Pirkei Avot 3:14, where he teaches that humanity is beloved for being created in God's image. The Mishnah Berakhot 1:1 discusses the evening Shema.
4. Hebrew Text
בראשית ברא אלהים את השמים ואת הארץ (בראשית א:א). רש"י מפרש שהתורה לא היתה צריכה להתחיל אלא מ"החודש הזה לכם" (שמות יב:ב) שהיא מצוה ראשונה שנצטוו ישראל. במסכת ברכות ב. נאמר "מאימתי קורין את שמע בערבין". ובפרקי אבות א:ב שמעון הצדיק אומר על שלושה דברים העולם עומד.
5. Dense Commentary Paragraph
The relationship between Leviticus 19:18 ("Love your neighbor as yourself") and the Golden Rule is explored extensively. Rabbi Akiva calls this verse the great principle of the Torah (Jerusalem Talmud, Nedarim 9:4), while Hillel's formulation in Shabbat 31a ("What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor") provides the negative formulation. Rambam codifies the obligation in Mishneh Torah, Laws of Ethical Character 6:3, and the Sefer HaChinukh discusses it as Mitzvah 243. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands love of God, while Deuteronomy 6:4 (the Shema) declares God's unity. These verses from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 form the first paragraph of the Shema recited daily, as discussed in Berakhot 13a.
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Psalms 23:1 declares "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want." This psalm of David is perhaps the most beloved passage in all of Psalms. The Midrash on Psalms 23:1 connects the shepherd metaphor to God's care for Israel in the wilderness, while Rashi explains each verse in relation to David's personal experience.
The book of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) opens with the famous words of Ecclesiastes 1:2, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." The Talmud in Shabbat 30b records that the Sages sought to suppress the book of Ecclesiastes because its words contradicted one another. Isaiah 2:4 prophesies that nations "shall beat their swords into plowshares," a vision of peace that remains central to Jewish eschatology.
Proverbs 1:7 teaches that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." This principle is echoed in Job 28:28 and Psalms 111:10. The tension between wisdom and faith is explored throughout the wisdom literature, from Proverbs through Job to Ecclesiastes 12:13, which concludes: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man."