Cain and Abel: Hearing the Voices in Our Heads
On Sunday, November 30, 2025, Rabbi Mark Fishman, Manager of North American Engagement for Israel365 and Director of Israel365 Nashville, taught a thought-provoking class at Nashville Sabbath Fellowship titled: Cain and Abel: Hearing Voices in Our Heads.
In this teaching, Rabbi Fishman explores the Torah’s account of the first act of worship and the first act of violence in Bereishit (Genesis) 4:
“If you do well, shall you not be uplifted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at the door; its desire is toward you, but you may rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7)
Why did God accept Abel’s offering but not Cain’s?
Was divine rejection the cause of violence, or did it reveal something already stirring within Cain’s heart?
Drawing from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Midrash, Rabbi Fishman examines the inner struggle between guilt and anger, humility and ego. The Torah’s answer to religious violence is not scapegoating or suppression, it is moral responsibility: the call to master sin before it masters us.
Watch the full teaching and download the source sheet below.
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