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Weekly Dvar Torah
Beresheet: Curiosity
The Midrash on parshat Beresheet asks why Adam and Eve were created last. After all aren’t they the crowning glory of creation? The very purpose of creation! If so shouldn’t they have been created first?
The Midrash answers that G-d knew that human beings would become arrogant. As a reminder to remain humble G-d created human beings last. In the words of the midrash, “Humans were created even after the creation of a mosquito”.
I would like to offer another answer. If Adam and Eve had been created first imagine how spectacular that would have been. They would have seen all of creation unfold before their very eyes. They would have seen chaos taking form. The heavens being formed, the land shifting and the lakes and seas flowing. They would have seen vegetation taking root, and animals being created limb by limb. From little insects to huge elephants they would have seen a spectacular tapestry taking shape. It would have been spectacular and very convincing. So why not? Why not create Adam and Eve first and let them have front row seats to the greatest show ever, creation?
The answer is there would have been no room for curiosity. G-ds creation would have been crystal clear. There would have been no room to wonder how everything unfolded. That’s not what Hashem wanted. Curiosity is a gift. The never-ending quest to know why, how, what, is what drives us as human beings. From childhood we begin to wonder and question.
Curiosity is the fuel of innovation, the single greatest motivator to human growth. Every invention starts with a curious thought. Curiosity is what motivates us to discover, to innovate, to create. It is why we have airplanes, cars, computers and so much more.
Curiosity is also the fuel of spirituality. The first Jew Avraham is defined by his curiosity. Here is how Maimonides puts it:
After this mighty man was weaned, he began to explore and think. Though he was a child, he began to think with great curiosity throughout the day and night, wondering: How is it possible for the earth to continue to exist without having anyone controlling it? Who is causing it to be in motion? Surely, it does not cause itself to exist.
He had no teacher, nor was there anyone to inform him. Rather, he was mired in Ur Kasdim among the foolish idolaters. His father, mother, and all the people [around him] were idol worshipers, and he would worship with them. [However,] his heart was exploring and [gaining] understanding.
Ultimately, he appreciated the way of truth and understood the path of righteousness through his accurate comprehension. He realized that there was one God who controlled the earth, that He created everything, and that there is no other God among all the other entities.
(Laws of Idolatry Chapter 1:3)
What makes Avraham so unique is not that G-d finds him, but that he finds G-d. Avraham in his curiosity seeks and asks. He embarks on a spiritual journey. In the end he makes a most spectacular discovery. He discovers G-d. Avraham’s curiosity makes him a spiritual seeker.
Let me suggest that is why Adam and Eve are created last. So that they too would become spiritual seekers. So that they too would wonder how did such a spectacular world come to be? What was G-ds purpose in creating the world? What is the role of humans in G-ds world?
As we begin the year and read the first Parsha, let’s remember to remain curious. To constantly wonder and ask. To seek and find. To question and answer and hopefully grow in the process.
Wishing you all
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Yosef Benarroch
Adas Yeshurun Herzlia
Prayer Services
Shabbat Beresheet
28 Tishrei 5787 – 4 Cheshvan 5787
October 9, 2026 – October 15, 2026
| Friday | Saturday | |||
| Shacharit | 7:30 AM | Shacharit | 9:30 AM | |
| Candle lighting | 5:39-6:32 PM | Latest Shema | 10:28 AM | |
| Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat | 6:00 PM | Mincha | 6:00 PM | |
| Havdala | 7:27 PM | |||
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | |
| Shacharit | 9:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 7:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 7:30 AM |
| Mincha and Maariv | 6:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
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Address: 620 Brock St, Winnipeg, MB R3N 0Z4 , Canada
Phone: (204) 489-6262
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