Author Archives: asherabrams

GENESIS 03: LIFE AND KNOWLEDGE The first recorded conversation in the Bible neither involves nor concerns a man, and therefore almost passes the Alison Bechdel test. Why did Eve speak to the serpent? Maybe because it spoke to her. Why does the serpent tempt Eve? Because it can. People sometimes ask why the serpent, specifically,Continue reading “GENESIS 03: LIFE AND KNOWLEDGE”

GENESIS 02: DIVISION AND ORDER This chapter begins with the Sabbath day, on which the Creator rested and refrained from creation. I want to point out the verb “and He rested” [vayanach]. The root verb is [nachah], meaning to rest or to be contented, and we’re going to see it again. The narrative then seemsContinue reading “GENESIS 02: DIVISION AND ORDER”

GENESIS 01: SIX DAYS OF CREATION In the beginning verses of the Bible, we see the Creator fashioning the world, and man in it, bringing forth first chaos, then order, then complexity. One thing that stands out about this chapter, as has been noted often, is the role of Divine speech in the act ofContinue reading “GENESIS 01: SIX DAYS OF CREATION”