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. 

