T

he parshah of Bereshit
is loaded with content,
beginning with the
creation of the universe
and then running through
everything from Adam until
the birth of Noah 1,000 years
later.
Of all the many
fundamental Jewish concepts
discussed in this Torah
portion, arguably the most
important one is the creation
of the intelligent man. The
verse states “and He blew
into his (man’s) nostrils the
soul of life, and man became
a living being” (Ch. 2: 7).
The commentators give us a
deeper understanding of this
seminal event, explaining
that at the moment we
became “a speaking being”

we transformed from an
animal-like humanoid to a
full-fledged human.
The unique soul gave us
intelligence and capabilities
far beyond any other creation.
Lions and tigers have
been living the same
way for thousands of
years, but mankind’s
wisdom has enabled us
to achieve incredible
things, like harnessing
the power of electricity,
sending man to the
moon and so much
more.
And yet, remarkably,
despite our advanced
intelligence, we still
struggle to achieve the most
important and basic needs:
happiness and peace of mind.

One can simply take a
cursory look around to see
the high levels of stress,
anxiety and depression that
we suffer from nowadays.
What is the solution? While
there isn’t only one answer to
resolving such a potentially
complex issue, the parshah
does give us a crucial
clue on how to move
forward.
Two verses earlier it
says, “All the herb of
the field had not yet
sprouted, for Hashem
had not sent rain upon
the Earth because there
was no man to work the
soil.” Why does God
need to wait for man
before sending the rain?
The Talmud explains
that God waited because
there was no one to recognize
the need for rain. But when

Adam was created and
recognized its importance
for the world, he prayed
for it; rain fell, causing the
vegetation to spring forth.
The simple awareness of
our dependence on God was
woven into the fabric of the
creation of man itself because
without it we are in a very
precarious state.
How could one possibly
remain calm if we lived in a
world devoid of God, one of
random chaos?
The recognition that God
is watching over us as our
loving Father in Heaven and
is ready to help us whenever
we reach out to Him is the
most important first step
toward a calm and worry-free
existence.

Rabbi Noam Gross works as an

educator for the Young Professional

Division of Partners Detroit.

MAZEL TOV!

32 | SEPTEMBER 30 • 2021





HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the
Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings
with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18
each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs
or for special birthdays starting at the 90th.
For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello
at smanello@thejewishnews.com or (248) 351-5147 for
information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines.

Bryce Toby of Auburn Hills will become a bar
mitzvah at Temple Beth El on Saturday, Oct.
2, 2021. Participating in the ceremony will be
parents, Alan and Jennifer Toby. Proud
grandparents are Melvin Toby of West
Bloomfield, and Jack and Fran Gould of
Commerce. He is also the grandson of the late Rosanne
Toby.

Bryce is a student at Avondale Middle School in
Rochester Hills. His mitzvah project includes raising
money for the American Cancer Society.

Our Unique Souls

SPIRIT
TORAH PORTION

Rabbi Noam
Gross

Parshat

Bereshit:

Genesis 1:1-

6:8; Isaiah

42:5-43:10.

JARC Event Takes to the Fast Lane
JARC, a Metro Detroit-based
nonprofit agency that serves
individuals with developmental
disabilities, will hold its fall fund-
raising event, “JARC at M1,
” from
noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at
the M1 Concourse in Pontiac.
The unique, fun and at times
exhilarating event will feature
thrill rides in cars around the
M1’s Champion Motor Speedway,
live music performances by the
Mega ’80s and other special
music guests, and 1980s arcade
games. The event will also offer
an open bar, dinner and the
largest outdoor event tent in
Michigan at M1’s newly renovat-
ed two-story event center.
A special VIP event will also
feature an opportunity for VIP
ticket holders to drive a Dodge
Hellcat on the M1 racetrack
between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
JARC CEO Shaindle
Braunstein said, “During the
pandemic, we have persevered
and grown as an organization,

finding new ways of fulfilling our
vital mission and stepping up in
unusual circumstances to address
all of the needs of the individuals
we serve.
”
Throughout the pandemic, she
said, “we know those we serve
have unique needs, and we will
continue to step up to address
those needs and ask for the com-
munity’s financial support to help
us continue that momentum.
”
Proceeds from the event will go
to fund JARC programs, includ-
ing its 24-hour care for group
homes. The event is made pos-
sible through the sponsorship of
the Steinway/Howard Family.
For information and tickets, go
to jarc.org/2021.