Shabbat Bereshit 2024

On Shabbat Bereshit 2024, Rabbi Klein explored Bereshit, the creation of people, and among other things explored the lessons of “B’tzelem Elohim,” that we are made in the image of God. He said:

“The first lesson is the reminder that we are created B’tzelem Elohim, created in the image of God and that B’tzelem Elohim is not just about how we are perceived, how it’s not just a description about how we’re created, but it’s actually a prescription, a mandate, for how we are to show up in the world, not just imitating the highest levels of godliness on Yom Kippur, but to take that lesson year round into every single week and every single day, to be fervent allies to fellow human beings, not just as a kindness, but because it is expected, not just as a kindness, but because When we don’t treat fellow human beings as created in the image of God, then we diminish God in them, and we simultaneously diminish God in us.”

Rabbi Jason Klein delivered this drashah at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, October 25, 2024 / 24 Tishrei 5785. Watch the full talk above.

Be in community with CBST at Kabbalat Shabbat services, every Friday at 6:30pm EST, either in person or streaming live on CBST’s website at cbst.org/livestream. 

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