VBM Why Does the Torah Begin with Bereishit? By Harav Yaakov Medan

I. Introduction – Rashi's Comment and the Questions Arising From It "In the beginning" – R. Yitzchak said: The Torah should have commenced with [the command]: "This month shall be unto you the first month" (Shemot 12:1), which is the first commandment given to Israel. What is the reason, then, that it commences with the account of the Creation? Because [of the thought expressed in the verse]: "He declared to His people the strength of His works [i.e., He gave an account of the work of Creation] in order that He might give them the heritage of the nations" (Tehillim 111:6). For should the people of the world say to Israel: "You are robbers, because you took by force the lands of the seven nations of Canaan," Israel may reply to them: "All the earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed is He. He created it and gave it to whom He pleased. When He willed He gave it to them, and when He willed He took it from them and gave it to us. (Rashi, Bereishit 1:1)