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UN PENSAMIENTO SOBRE PARSHAT BERESHIT 5786


In the story of Cain and Abel (Bereishit/Genesis 4:7), we find one of the deepest teachings about the human soul and its freedom:

“Is it not so that if you do well, you will be uplifted? But if you do not do well, sin crouches at the door; its desire is toward you, yet you can rule over it.”

With these words, G-d teaches Cain – and all of us – that failure does not have to be the end. On the contrary: mistakes are opportunities to choose again, to turn back, and to walk a higher path. Where we often imagine that a misstep defines or limits us, the Torah shows that every failure can become an opening for change and growth.

Learning from Failures

Cain’s first offering was not his real mistake. How could he have known exactly what was required? He brought “from the fruit of the ground,” without realizing that the choicest fruits would have been more fitting for an offering to the Creator. His act was imperfect, but it was still a beginning.

And this is crucial: making mistakes is part of being human. It is a natural step in the process of learning and developing. A child learning to walk stumbles. A child learning to speak stammers. And someone learning to live with G-d also makes mistakes. The real issue is not in the stumbling itself, but in the question: what happens afterward?

Cain’s true failure was that he refused to learn from G-d’s positive response to Abel’s offering. Instead of reflecting and striving to improve, he clung to his own sense of being right. Rather than seeing his brother’s success as an invitation to aim higher, he saw it as a threat. He felt wronged – and instead of growing, he sank into anger and jealousy.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains this powerfully:

“Had Cain brought a second offering, this time from the best of his produce, G-d would have forgiven him and accepted it with joy. G-d sought to teach him that when a person is willing to learn from his errors, his slate can be wiped clean. But Cain refused to admit his mistake. Convinced of the rightness of his actions, he believed that if Abel were eliminated, his own view would automatically prevail.”
(Likkutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 22)

In this explanation, it becomes clear that Cain’s downfall was not the technical error of his first act, but his stubborn attitude toward his own failure. He chose pride and denial instead of nullifying his own will to G-d.

The Power of Free Will

G-d’s message to Cain was not only a rebuke but also a promise: “If you improve, you will be uplifted.” In other words: even after failure, the way back is always open. It is never too late to begin again.

Cain had the chance to turn his jealousy and anger into growth and connection. He could have chosen life – for his own elevation and for the life of his brother. He stood at a crossroads: either cling to his pride or heed G-d’s invitation to improve.

The Radak emphasizes that this verse is one of the strongest proofs of human free will: “If you wish, you can master it.” No emotion, no impulse, no situation is too powerful for a person to rise above. As the Torah says: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil… therefore choose life” (Devarim/Deuteronomy 30:15–19).

The Ramban goes even further, explaining that as the firstborn, Cain had the potential for even greater elevation. Had he turned back and corrected his path, he could have risen higher than Abel. Here we see that G-d not only forgives but even rewards those who find the strength to return and improve their ways.

The Lesson for Us

The story of Cain is not just an ancient tragedy. It is a mirror for our own daily lives. We too make mistakes and misjudgments – in our relationships, in our work, and in our spiritual growth.

This is especially true for those who are new to studying and applying the Noahide Laws. Inevitably, there will be moments of confusion, missteps, and trial and error. But this is not a failure; it is part of the learning journey.

The real danger lies in repeating Cain’s mistake: saying, “The way I live is good enough; G-d should just accept me as I am.” That attitude closes the door to growth. Free will means we are not trapped by our habits or errors. We always have the power to learn, to change, and to rise higher.

Every failure can become a new beginning if we are willing to face it honestly. Instead of a stumbling block, each misstep can be transformed into a stepping stone – a springboard for greater spiritual growth.

Conclusión

The story of Cain and Abel shows us that G-d does not condemn us for making mistakes. What truly matters is how we respond to them. Do we learn and grow, or do we cling to our pride and refuse to change?

The message is timeless and deeply personal: every single day, a choice lies before us. The choice to turn mistakes into growth, to replace jealousy with connection, and to choose life again and again.

Por Angelique Sijbolts
Gracias al rabino Moshe Bernstein por sus comentarios.

Fuentes

Sforno, Steinsaltz, Radak and Rambam on Genesis 4:6

Daily Wisdom – Inspiring insights on the Torah Portion from the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume 1 p. 7  – Likutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 22.




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