Parashat Bereishit
Parashat Bereishit is the first Parsha in the Book of Bereishit and the first Parsha of the Torah.
Parashat Bereishit is the first Parsha in the Book of Bereishit and the first Parsha of the Torah.
In the beginning of Hashem's creation[1] of Heaven and Earth, the world was astonishingly[2] empty and desolate.[2] Darkness was on the face of the water upon deep earth.[2] The spirit of Hashem and His Throne of Glory[2] hovered over the face of the water, suspended in the air,[2] by the breath of His mouth and His word,[2] just like a dove hovering over its nest.[2] The Tohu foretold the destruction of the First Beis HaMikdash that was destroyed on its 411 year (411 = תהו).[3] Also the destruction of the 2nd Beis HaMikdash is alluded and the darkness alludes to the years of Exile.[3] The Sprit of Hashem alludes to the Sprit of Moshiach.[3] Tohu and Vohu also allude to the World's first 2000 years, where it was empty from Torah.[3]
First Hashem created the Throne of Glory.[4] Hashem created both This World and the Next World,[4] as well as the Written and Oral Tora's.[4] He created the Firmament, Earth, Heavens, Sea and Depths,[4] as well as the seven days of the week, the seven years of the Shmita cycle, the seven Shmitas in the Yovel cycle, the 7 firmaments, the seven continents, the seven seas, the seven servants, the seven planets (Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon as well as the 28 various states of time.[4] The World was created to last 6000 years,[4] which are divided into; 2,000 years of Tohu (chaos), 2,000 years of Torah, 2,000 years of the Messianic era.[4]
The world was created in merit of the Jews accepting[4] the Torah,[1] and keeping the 613 Mitzvos[4] and in merit of Nation of Yisroel,[1] who was chosen among the Nations.[4] Also in merit of the man[4] Avrohom,[5] for the Truth,[6] and in merit of the First Beis Hamikdash,[4] Shabbos,[4] the Torah and those that study it,[4] specifically[7] the 6 tracts of Mishna.[4] It was finished on Rosh Hashanah,[4] the 1st of Tishrai[4] and was created with Truth,[4] and through the 'Ten Statements' of Hashem.[5] Originally Hashem intended to create the World with the attribute of Justice since the highest levels of nullification to Hashem are attainable through harsh judgments, which would allow people to reach the ultimate goodness of great comprehension of Hashem. However He saw it could not last as most people would fail to achieve this nullification.[8] Instead he proceeded to create it with the attribute of Mercy and joined it with the attribute of Justice.[1] It was created with blessing so hopefully the World would survive.[4] That is why the Torah begins with the letter Beis to allude blessing,[9] which also includes Truth, since Blessings only rest upon one who is truthful.[10]
Instead of starting the Torah by the instruction of Kidush Hachodesh,[11] the first publicly given commandment, the Torah starts from Creation to reveal the power of Hashem and that all belongs to Him and therefore the Jews had right to capture the Land of Canaan at His command.[1] It is forbidden to expound on the mystical teachings of Creation and of the Chariot publicly,[12] as well as to inquire what existed before Creation and what will happen after and delve into the original location of the Darkness.[3]
The two Worlds were created by Hashem through the use of his name 'Yud Heh - Kah'. 'Yud' was used to create the Next World. Since it is the smallest letter, it symbolizes the how the righteous that will merit to arrive in the Next World will be only a small percentage of humanity. 'Heh' which is open at its bottom, was used to create the Physical World, symbolizing how the wicked have an opening through which they can descend through to destruction. At the same time, this opening can also be used by people who wish to repent and return to Hashem.[13] Three hundred and ten realms were created for each Tzadik.[4]
Hashem's splendor presides over Heaven and Earth because He created them.[14] These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created by Hashem[13]...
Hashem creates the sky, land and light. He said there should be light and there was light. Light came into existence through the 'Garment' of Hashem.[3] Hashem saw the light that it was good and should not be mixed together with the darkness.[15] This light was an aspect of the 5 books[16] of Torah, the Oral Torah, the 613 commandments and the convent of the Bris.[17] He then separates the light and darkness, giving boundaries to each,[15] calling the light day and the darkness night. Since Hashem does not attribute His Name to evil, it is not mentioned by the naming of the Night.[16]
Hashem also saw that it was not befitting for the wicked to access the original light was not so He separated it for the righteous to use in the future.[15] It was evening and then morning and the first day was over. During the first day only Hashem existed in the world, for the angels were not created until the second day.[18] Once the skies were created, the state of Tohu VaVoho became irrelevant.[19]
The sun and moon were also created on the first day, but only suspended in the sky on the 4th day.[20] Likewise all the creations of heaven and earth were created on the first day, but were only fixed in their proper places later on.[20][13]
Alluded in this segment are the 5 signs announcing the start of the Morning and the 3 signs for the start of the Night.[16]
Hashem said there should be a firmament in the middle[21] of the water, separating the Upper and Lower Waters.[21] The heavens were created on the first day, but were is a state of moisture and the pillars of the heavens trembled the entire day.[21] On they second day they solidified from the rebuke of Hashem, when He said the above command, like a person who stands in awe from the rebuke of one who threatens him.[21]
Hashem made the firmament, establishing it on its base[22] and it separated between the water that were below and above it. Just like there is space between the oceans and the sky so to there is space between the sky and the Upper Waters,[21] all layers being suspended in place in the air[22] by the word of the King Hashem.[21]
Hashem named the firmament 'Heaven' (שמים) which is a combination of all the following words
שא מים - Carry water
שם מים - There is water there
אש ומים - Fire and water, since the Hashem mingled them together, creating the heavens from them.[23]
Also the Angels were created on the second day.[18] It was evening and then morning and the second day was over. Since the functionality of the Waters were not completed until the third day, it does not say 'It was good' since something that is incomplete is not fully good.[22]
At this point the lower waters were spread out over the surface of the entire earth.[24] Hashem said the lower waters should gather into one pool and the dry land should appear. They were gathered into the Mediterranean ocean, the largest of all seas,[24] in a precise, calculated and measured way.[25] Hashem conditioned with Creation that it would change its nature and the waters will clear from before Moshe, making the earth under them visible.[25]
Hashem named the dry area 'land' and the water 'oceans' and He saw that it was good. Although all the water is connected and is a single large sea, the flavor of a fish that comes up from the sea in Acco is different then a fish from Spain, therefore the body of water was named 'Oceans' in plural form.[26]
Hashem said, the earth should sprout a layer vegetation,[27] seed yielding herbs[27] and fruit trees producing fruit according to its kind in which its seeds[27] are found, so it can be replanted elsewhere[27] on the earth and trees will grow from it.[27]
It was so, the earth gave forth vegetation, seed yielding herbs according to its species, and trees producing fruit with seeds according to its species. Initially the earth 'sprouted' thin greenery,[28] that was so thin that one species could not be distinguished form the next.[28] Then the Earth 'brought fourth' all the vegetation rapidly at once.[28] Six types of food were brought fourth by the Earth.[28] Hashem saw that it was good. Although the herbs did not receive a direct command to produce according to their set species, they heard the trees being commanded to do so and take an example for themselves.[29] Not only did the Earth separate the various species, it even separated variations in the same species, producing separate columns of white variants and black variants.[28] It was evening and then morning, a third day.
Hashem had commanded that the taste of each tree should be like its fruit. However the earth did not do so and only produced taste in the actual fruits.[27] Additionally all trees including barren trees cedars were supposed to produce fruit but did not do so. Therefore when when Adam was cursed for his sin, the earth was also reimbursed for its sin and cursed.[27] Each blade of grass has a Mazel above.[28]
Although Hashem created the potential for grasses and fruit trees on the 3rd day, they just stood at the entrance of the ground not did not yet emerge until the sixth day, when Adom prayed for rain.[30]
Since all the water related work was completed on the third day, 'It was Good' is mentioned twice once for the second day where it was omitted since the work was incomplete and once for the third day.[22]
Hashem said there should be lights in the firmament of the heavens. Although the sun and moon were created on the first day, it was only on the 4th day that they were suspended in the sky.[20] They will separate between the day and between the night. They were server as signs for when the sun or moon are eclipsed, it is an unfavorable omen for the world.[20] They are to be use to count[31] and appoint seasons, since the months and holidays are set based on the rebirth of the new moon.[20] They set the timeframe of the days, since the sun servers for half a day and the moon for the other half, completing a full day cycle.[20] They also set the year cycle, which lasts 356 days during which they complete their revolution through the twelve constellations, which serve them. In addition,[32] they will serve as lights in the firmament of the heavens to shine light upon the earth. It was so. Really only the sun was created for light, while the moon was created only to prevent worship of the sun had it been created alone,[31] and for the use of sanctifying the new month.[31] The Sun is also beneficial for plants.[31]
Hashem made the two great lights, the sun and the moon. Originally both were the same size[33] but when the moon complained that the sun had equal power and it is impossible for two kings to use the same crown, it was punished and made smaller.[33] Following this sun - the great light ruled during the day, while the moon - the lesser light ruled at night. Because Hashem diminished the moon, He created for it hosts of stars, to appease it.[33] Hashem placed them in the firmament of the heavens to shine light upon the earth, to rule over the day and night and to separate between the light and darkness. Hashem saw that it was good. It was evening and then morning, a fourth day.
The fourth day of the week is cursed day when children become ill with croup and therefore the men of the Mamad would fast on the 4th day so that children should not become ill with croup.[20]
Hashem said the waters should swarm a swarming of living creatures, containing life in them.[34] This included all living things that are not much higher than the earth.[34] It included winged creatures such as flies, insects such as ants, beetles, and worms and larger creatures such as weasels, mice and lizards.[34] It also included all the fish.[34] Additionally let birds fly over the earth, across the firmament of the heavens. The birds were created from mud,[35] a mixture of water and earth.[35] More kosher birds were created then non-kosher ones.[36]
Hashem created the great sea reptiles, which included the great fish in the sea, the Leviyatan and its mate. Both male and female were created but Hashem killed the female, and salted her away for the righteous in the future, because if they would have children, the world could not exist because of them.[37]
Also every living creature containing life in them[37] that crawls, with which the waters swarmed, according to their species. As well as every winged bird, according to its species. Hashem saw that it was good.
Because these creatures are hunted by humans and their numbers are decreased,[38] Hashem blessed them to be fruitful[38] and each should mass[38] multiply. Fish whose food is readily available and extra time, should procreate[36] and fill the waters of the seas. Birds multiply upon the earth. It was evening, then morning, a fifth day.
Hashem said the earth should bring forth what was already previously created on the first day;[39] living creatures, containing life in them,[39] according to their species, cattle, creeping things which are low and crawl upon the earth appearing to drag since their walking motions are not noticeable[39] and the beasts of the earth according to their species. It was so.
Hashem made the beasts of the earth, cattle, creeping things of the ground all in their complete form and stature,[40] according to their species. These animals were formed using earth.[35] Hashem saw that it was good.
Although the land animals are also hunted by humans and their numbers are decreased, Hashem did not bless them to multiply like he did to the birds and fish because He did not want to include the serpent in the blessings since was destined to be cursed.[38]
Hashem counseled with the angels[41] saying they should make man in their image form,[41] after their likeness, giving them ability to understand and to discern.[41] They shall rule over the fish of the sea, birds of the heaven, animals, entire earth and all creepy things that creep upon the earth. This is only if a man merits, if he does not, then he becomes subservient to them, and the beast rules over him.[41]
We see the humility of Hashem who knew the angels would be jealous of man, so he therefore first consulted with them.[41] Additionally it is the policy of Hashem to consult them when he judges kings.[41] Here He also did saying there are heavenly beings in His likeness and if no earthly beings were created in His likeness, there will be envy in the Creation.[41] Although the angels were consulted, only Hashem created man, unlike the heretics that misquote the verse since 'let us create' is written in plural.[41]
In order to create Adom,[42] Hashem raised a mist from the waters deep inside the earth,[42] this saturated clouds[42] that then soaked and watered the entire surface of the earth. This was then used to form Adom, similar to a baker, who puts water into the flour and afterwards kneads the dough.[42] Hashem created man in His image using His hands, unlike everything else that was created with His sayings.[43] Hashem then formed man from the dust of the ground.[44] For this Hashem gathered dust from all four directions of the entire earth, this way anywhere a person is buried he would be accepted by the ground.[45] A larger percentage of the dust[7] was taken from the future location of the atoning Mezbeach Adama - Altar. Hopefully the Alter would atone for a person, allowing him to endure in the world.[45] He was named Adom partly because he was created from (אדמה) earth.[46]
Hashem then breathed into Adom's nostrils the soul of life, sealing[47] it within him. Man became a living soul. Humans were given intelligence and speech and are therefore more alive then animals, although animals are also called living souls.[45] If a person fulfils the will of his Creator, then his soul is like the lamp of Hashem. If he does not, then his soul is like a burning stream of sulfur.[47]
This allowed for a combination of earthly and heavenly creation on the sixth day, giving Creation a 50/50 balance between heaven and earth, so there would be no jealousy in Creation, had one of them received an extra day.[45]
First Day - Heaven and earth = 50/50
Second Day - Heavenly firmament & beings = 100% Heaven
Third Day - Dry earth = 100% Earth
Fourth Day - Sun, Moon & Stars = 100% Heaven
Fifth Day - Waters swarmed creatures = 100% Earth
Sixth Day - Body & Soul = 50/50[45]
Adom was created in the image of Hashem, with a mold like a coin.[43] The image that was prepared for Adam was the image of the likeness of his Creator,[43] Both male and female humans were created by Hashem on the sixth day.[43] Originally they were created together with two faces on a single body, but later Hashem divided them by taking one of Adom's ribs.[43] Man was created from earth and is composed of dust, blood and bile.[48] Humans were destined to be created twice, once in This World and once in the future when they are resurrected from the dead, unlike animals who are not judged for their actions[45] and will not be resurrected, therefore they were only part of the initial creation. Males are more in the realm of blessing, while females are more in the realm of the curse.[46] Humans have two inclinations; good and evil, as opposed to animals that only have one.[47] Adom was considered the Chala of the World,[47] and was separated for Holiness.
Hahsem blessed them, telling them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over all the beasts that tread upon the earth. Only males have the commandment to multiply[49] and should subdue the females from public socialization.[49] If they merit they will subdue even the fish but if not they will be subdued even by nations like the Plishtim.[50]
Before the creation of Adom, the trees of the earth's fields had not yet[30] grown, neither did any herbs grow yet. Although vegetation was created on the 3rd day, the plants had not yet emerged, rather they stood at the entrance of the ground until the sixth day.[30] This was because Hashem the Ruler[30] had not yet brought rain upon the earth since[30] there was still no man to work the soil and there was no one who would recognized the benefit of rain.[30] When Adom was created and understood that rain was essential for the world, he prayed for it. It then rained causing the trees and herbs to sprout.[30] In a similar fashion, the humans will later have to break their hearts and pray to Hashem to give them rain.[51]
Hashem saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good. It was evening and morning, the sixth day.
Hashem told Adom he is being given every seed bearing herb on the surface of the entire earth and every tree that has seed bearing fruit as food. However Adom and his wife were not permitted to kill any creatures and eat their meat.[52] Although humans were not permitted to eat animals, the animals were still subjugated under them and humans were to dominate them.[35] Similarly,[52] all the beasts of the earth, birds of the heavens and everything that moves upon the earth, in which there is a living spirit, also have the right to eat green herbs. It was so. It was only during the time of Noach that it became permissible for humans to eat animals.[52]
Hashem planted a garden on the Eastern side of Eden[44] placing there the man whom He formed. Hashem sprouted in the Garden[53] every type of tree that was pleasant to see and good to eat, including the Tree of Life in the middle[53] of the garden and the Tree of Knowledge that contains good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden. Afterwards it separated and became four smaller rivers.
1 - Pishon - Surrounds the entire land of Chavila, where gold can be mined. Its gold is good and this land also produces crystal and onyx stone. This is the Nile river which flows through Egypt,[54] after first passing through ten[55] other African countries.[7] It is called Pishon (פש - increase) because its waters are blessed, since they rise and water the land.[54] It is also called Pishon since it waters and causes the many flax (פשתן) fields of Egypt to grow.[54]
2 - Gichon - Surrounded the entire land where Cush would later be located.[56] It is called Gicohn (יגח = גיחון = Gore) because its waters flow with speed and roar with great noise, as if they were goring forward.[57]
3 - Chidekel - This is the Tigris river. It flowed east[56] of future location[56] of Ashur-Assyria. It is called Chidekel because its waters are sharp (חד) and light (קל).[56]
4 - Pras - This is the Euphrates river. It is called Pras because its waters are fruitful, cause increase (פרין ורבין) and make people healthy.[56] It is the most important of the '4 Rivers' due to its association with the boundaries of the futuristic[58] Eretz Yisroel.[56] For this reason it is also called the 'Great River'.[59]
Hashem took Adam with pleasant words and enticed him to enter[60] the Garden of Edan, placing him in it to work on it and guard it. Hashem commanded Adom that he can eat freely from any tree in the Garden aside from the Tree of Knowledge which contains good and evil. Adom is forbidden to eat from it, for on the day he does so, he will surely die.
Hashem brought all the animals, in pairs of male and female[61] to Adom, immediately on the day of their creation,[35] to see what he would call them. Whatever Adom called each living creature,[35] that was its name forever.[35] Adom named all the cattle, birds of the heavens and beasts of the fields.
Hashem declared that is not good that man is alone, so people can not claim that there are two authorities and say just like Hashem is alone in the heavens, so too man is alone in the physical world and has no partner.[62] Therefore He will create a helper to stand opposite of him. If he merits, she will be a helper, if he does not merit then she will be against him, to fight him.[62]
When Adam named all the animals, he saw that each species contained a male and female[61] but could not find a suitable helper for himself. He exclaimed how every animal has a mate but he has no mate.[61] Immediately,[61] Hashem caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adom and he fell asleep. Adom was originally created with two faces,[61] one in front and one in back. Hashem separated the two faces by taking one of Adom's sides[61] and He sealed the flesh in the location of the cut.[61] This operation was done while Adom was sleeping, in order so he should not see the piece of flesh from which Chava was created and she would become degraded in his eyes.[61]
Hashem built the side that He had taken from Adom and turned it into[63] a woman. He built her like a building which is wide at the bottom and narrow on top, so she can carry her fetus. This is similar to a wheat storehouse that is created to have a wide bottom and narrow top, so the burden of the wheat should not weigh on its walls.[63] Hashem adorned Chava with 24 types of adornments[64] and brought her to Adom. Adom noted that after previously seeing that he was not compatible with any other type of animal or beast,[65] this time, she is a bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. Adom then named her an Ishah (אשה woman) since she was taken from Ish (איש man). Since the world was created using Lashon Hakodesh, Adom was able to name 'women' using the root of the Hebrew word 'man'.[65]
Rouach Hakodesh declared[66] that therefore a man should leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. They will then become one flesh through their child who is formed from both of them.[66] From here we see that even the Nations are prohibited from Arayos unions like Mother and son.[66]
Both Adom and Chava were naked, man and his wife, yet they were not embarrassed, since they did not understand the concept of modesty, or have the ability to distinguish between good and evil.[67] This does not mean they were stupid, since Adom was extremely knowledgeable, enough to provide true names to all the creatures. Despite this, Adom was not infused with the evil inclination until he ate of the Tree of Knowledge. Only at that point did the evil inclination entered into Adom and he knew the difference between good and evil.[67] The above also alludes to certain laws of relationships.[68]
In continuation of naming the animals,[69] Adom also named his wife Chava. The word Chava (חוה) is based on the word חיה - Living, since a woman provides life to her babies,[69] specifically Chava who was the Mother of all Life, since all humans originated from her. Her name also denotes speech and expression (מחוה), since ten measurements of speech came down to the world and nine of them were taken by women.[70]
Hashem finishes creation of the heavens, earth, oceans[71] and all their hosts at the instance the sixth day was over,[72] sealing Creation and the Universe[73] with the Shem Havaya.[73] Calculating the last millisecond of the sixth day was an act that only Hashem who knows the exact moment can do, but to others it appeared as if the work slightly continued into the 7th day.[72] Hashem abstained on the seventh day from all the that He did, providing 'rest' to the world, completing it with its last lacking element.[72] Shabbos is the delight of days.[71] Since it is customary to append extra time from Friday and start Shabbos early, here is did not say 'It was evening and morning, the seventh day', like it did by the other days.[71]
Hashem blessed the seventh day and made it holy, since He abstained from all the work He created, by doing double work on the 6th day, covering all work needed for the 7th day.[74] This blessing later manifested in the Mun which was given in a double portion on Erev Shabbos, and also sanctified it since on Shabbos it did not rain Mun at all.[74] Hashem also blessed the World.[75]
Now that the heaven and earth had been created, the previous state of Tohu Vavohu chaos was deemed irrelevant[76] Heaven and Earth were created in merit of Avrahom.
The snake was more cunning than all the beasts of the field that Hashem has created. After seeing her[69] and their relationship,[77] in order to ruin them, the snake cunningly and connivingly[69] asked[77] Chava if it was true that Hashem said that they should not eat from any of the garden's trees. Even though the snake had seen them eating fruits from other trees, he brought up this question in order to engage Chava is a lengthy conversation, so she will answer him and they will come to discuss the Tree of Knowledge.[77]
Chava responded to the snake that they were allowed to eat from all the fruit of the garden's trees. However Hashem told them not to eat or touch the fruit from the tree that was in middle of the Garden and if they do so they shall die. Although Hashem had just commanded them not to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, Chava added to the commandment, that it was also forbidden for them to touch it's fruits. Since you are not supposed to add to Hashem's words, by adding to the commandment, Chava instead came to diminish it.[78] The snake responded to Chava that she will not die if she touched the fruit. He then pushed Chava until she touched the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. After proving to her that nothing happened, the snake declared; that just as she did not die from touching it, so too she would not die by eating from it.[79] The snake claimed that Hashem ate from the tree and created the world.[80] Since every craftsman hates his competition,[80] therefore Hashem forbade them to eat from the tree, because He knows that on the day that she will eat from the fruit, her eyes will be opened and she will be like a god who knows good and evil and also has the ability to create universes.[80]
Chava understood the words of the snake. They appealed to her and she believed him.[81] Chava saw that the tree was good for eating and could give her godly powers.[81] It was a delight to the eyes,[81] appeared sweet and good[82] and would enlighten them.[81] The tree was desirable and could make her wise, giving her the ability to know both good and evil.[81] Chava took from its fruit and ate from them. When she realized that she would now die and feared that Adom would continue to live and marry someone else,[81] Chava also gave the fruit to her husband Adom and he ate from them. She also fed them to all the earth's cattle and beasts.[81] After eating the fruit they became wise[83] and their eyes opened and they knew that they were not dressed and that they had become bare from the one Mitzva[83] they had been commanded to keep. They tried to cover themselves with various types of leaves but all the trees prevented them from taking their leaves.[83] Finally they sewed fig leaves, which was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil that they had eaten from[83] and made themselves girdles. They used the the tree they had ruined them, to also rectify themselves.[83] Although it was alluded that the fig tree was the Tree of Knowledge, it was not mentioned explicitly in the Torah since Hashem does not wish cause pain to any creature and forever have the world same it and reference it as the tree that caused the world to suffer.[83] The Tree of Knowledge also had an element[7] of an Etrog Tree,[84] and wheat.[85]
Adom and Chava heard the voice of Hashem passing through the garden[86] in the west,[86] the direction where the sun would soon set,[86] as they had sinned in the evening on the tenth hour of the day.[86] Adom and his wife hid from Hashem in the midst of the trees of the garden. Hashem called out to Adom, asking him where he was. Although Hashem knew exactly where Adom, was He asked this question in order to initiate a conversation, where Adom would retain the mind frame needed to reply back, as opposed to punishing him suddenly and leaving him too frightened to answer back.[87] Adom responded that he heard Hashem's voice in the garden and was afraid since he was undressed, so he hid.
Hashem asked Adom who told him that he was undressed, and where did he gain the knowledge to know that there was shame in standing undressed.[88] Hashem asked[88] Adom if he ate from the tree that He had commanded him not to eat from, do to being influenced by gossip.[85] Adom replied that the woman whom Hashem had given to be with him, had given him to eat from the Tree of Knowledge and had 'hit' him with the tree until he listened to her.[89] By saying this Adom showed his ingratitude[90] to Hashem for providing him with a wife as an assistant.[89] Hashem then asked Chava what is this that she did. Chava replied that the snake enticed and deceived[91] her and she ate.
Although Hashem had given both Adom and Chava a chance to defend themselves and give a response, He did not do so for the snake, since we do not interceded in favor of one who entices people to sin.[92] The snake could have easily replied that since one must obey the words of the master over the words of the student,[92] Chava should have instead obeyed Hashem, invalidating her claim that the snake caused her to sin.
Hashem told the snake because he had done this he will be cursed more that all the cattle and beasts of the field. Just like a donkey who has the longest gestation period amongst the cattle lasting 365 days which is 7 times the 52 day gestation period of that cat who has the lowest amongst the beasts, so too the snake was cursed to have a gestation period 7 times the length of the donkey's,[93] lasting for 7 years.[92] Originally the snake had hands[94] and legs, there were now cut off from him[92] and from now on the the snake will walk on its belly and shall eat dust for all the days of its life. Since the snake was smarter and greater than all the animals, so was its downfall, it was cursed more than all.[77] Since the entire goal of the snake by approaching Chava because she was a woman who is light headed and easily enticed, and is then able to entice her husband to eat first from the fruit.[95] Adom would then die and the snake would be able to marry Chava.[95] Therefore[95] Hashem will place hatred between Chava and the snake and between their descendants. Humans will crush[95] the heads of snakes. Snakes will have no height and crawl flat on the ground.[95] They will blow, hiss[95] and bite the heels of the humans killing them.
All together Hashem punished the snake with ten curses[94] Originally the reptilian species were created to serve humans. It was a great pity that this important aide was now lost to the World.[96] Since the snake was cursed only as a fine and punishment, the curse itself also contains an element of blessing; that wherever a snake goes regardless if climbs on a roof or goes down to the ground, he always has a supply of his dust food available for him.[10]
Chava is punished with ten curses,[94] which include; women having to suffer the difficulty of raising children,[97] pain of pregnancy,[97] anguish and pain of birth,[97] and will desire her husband but will be dominated by him.[97] Also included was the blood of their menstrual periods,[98] although there is some benefit in that since a women who has a lot of blood, will have a lot of children.[98] Since women were cursed only as a fine and punishment, the curse itself also contains an element of blessing; that everyone chases after them.[10]
Hashem informed Adom, that he will be punished because he listened to the words of his wife Chava and ate from the Tree of Knowledge, which He had commanded him not eat from it. Adom was punished with ten curses[94] including having the ground cursed because of him and for the rest of his days, it would only produce food with difficulty. It will produce cursed entities such as flies, fleas and ants.[99] Additionally when seeds,[100] legumes and vegetables[100] are planted in the ground, instead of crops it will sprout thorns, thistles, kundos and okavios,[100] which are only edible after special preparations.[100] Adom will therefore have no choice but to eat these grasses and plants of the field.[100] Man will eat bread only through the sweat of their brow, after placing much effort into it,[101] until they return to the ground, where they were taken from. Since Humans are dust and will return to a state of dust. Chava caused Adom to be banished from the Upper Realms.[64] Likewise Chava brought fear to Adom.[102]
Hashem did a favor for Adom and created Chava to help him. Now that he sinned through her, humans were fined with the punishment of death, causing all their assets to be inherited and transferred to others who did not help earn it.[103] This sin also brought death to all living creatures in the world.[82]
The ground is punished with nine curses since it had the ability to protest and prevent Adom from eating from the Tree of Knowledge.[94] It was also paid back at this time for producing taste only in its fruits and not in the Tree itself, as Hashem had commanded.[27] Just like people curse the mother who nursed an evil person, so too the ground that produced Adom was cursed.[99] Part of the curse was that the Nations who are like thorns to the Jews, will rise up against them specifically in the Land of Eretz Yisroel.[104] Since the ground was cursed only as a fine and punishment, the curse itself also contains an element of blessing; that everyone is fed through the ground.[10]
Hashem created skin garments for Adom and his wife Chava and He dressed them. These were as smooth as fingernails and stuck to their skin.[105] He also[7] took material originating from skin, like rabbit fur, which is soft and warm and created for them garments from it.[105] Hashem also created for him a set of eight[106] priestly garments.[106] These were later used by the firstborn in their service.[106]
Hashem declared that since Adom had eaten from the Tree of Knowledge, he had now become similar to Hashem the 'Singular One'. Just like Hashem is singular in the Upper Realms, so too Adom had become singular in the Lower World by gaining the ability to distinguish between good and evil, separating him from all other animals and beasts, who are not capable of that.[107] Now Adom might also stretch his hand and eat from the Tree of Life and then live forever. Adom is then likely to claim that he is also a god and deceive the people after him.[107]
Hashem banished Adom from Gan Edan, to work the ground from which he was taken from. Hashem expelled Adom and placed Chruvim - angels of destruction[108] outside the Garden,[108] east of Gan Eden and the revolving sword blade, to guard the path to the Tree of Life and scare Adom from trying to renter the Garden.[108] It was also guarded by Lameds, Shindaleds, damaging Mazikin and Ruchin spirits.[109]
Adom exiled to the Land of Node, east of Edan.[110] When Adom had become impoverished from his mitzvah, he was separated from the Garden.[111]
Adom knew his wife Chava and she conceived and gave birth to a son on Friday, the day they were created.[112] This happened before their sin and banishment from Gan Eden.[113] He was named Kayin since[113] Chava said; unlike herself and Adom who were created by Hashem alone,[113] she had now acquired a man together with Hashem and they were partners in the creation of the child.[113] A twin sister was born along with Hevel.[113] After, Chava gave birth again to Hevel the brother of Kayin. Hevel was born with two twin sisters.[113]
Originally both Kayin and Hevel worked the land. Once the ground was cursed, Hevel resigned from agricultural work[114] instead becoming a shepherd of cattle. Kayin continued to work the land.
In the course of time, Kayin brought a sacrifice to Hashem from the produce of the ground. Kayin took whatever came first to his hand, selecting neither good or bad.[115] He ended up selecting[7] linseed,[115] which was his worst produce.[115]
Hevel also offered a sacrifice to Hashem, selecting from the fattest, first born of his flock. Hashem turned towards[116] Hevel and his sacrifice. A fire came down from heaven and consumed his sacrifice.[116] However Hashem paid no attention to Kayin and his sacrifice.
Kayin was very angered and his face became downcast. Hashem asked Kayin why he was angered and why his face had became downcast. After all, if Kayin would improve his deeds,[117] he would be forgiven. However if Kayin does not improve himself, then sin is crouching and saved[117] until the door[117] of his grave and the day of judgement after his death. The evil inclination and sin[117] will continuously lust after him, longing and desiring to make him stumble,[117] since the desires of the wicked are to sin.[118] Yet if Kayin wants,[117] he can dominate and overcome[117] his evil inclination.
Kayin started a verbal argument with Hevel his brother and fought with him, so he would have an excuse to kill him.[119] When they were in the field Kayin rose up against his brother Hevel and killed him. Since Kayin did not know from which part of the body the soul departs he inflicted Hevel with many wounds[120] all over his body.
Hashem asked Kayin where his brother Hevel was. Although Hashem already knew the answer, He asked in order to initiate a calm[121] conversation, where Kayin would retain the mind frame needed to reply back, as opposed to punishing him suddenly and leaving him too frightened to answer back.[87] Maybe this way Kayin would repent and confess that he killed Hevel and that he had sinned to Hashem.[121]
Kayin replied that he does not know since was he his brother's keeper?[121] He behaved as if he deceive Hashem's supreme knowledge.[121] Hashem reprimanded Kayin asking what he had done, since the voices of his brother's blood and all his descendants[120] were crying out to Him from the ground.
Hashem punished Kayin and informed him that he will now be cursed more through ground. The ground will now become even more accursed then it had already previously been due to its sin,[122] of not listening to Hashem and producing trees that had taste in their bark aside from their fruit.[27] Now the ground had continued to sin[122] by opening its mouth to take the blood of Kayin's brother Hevel from his hands. Therefore Hashem added an additional curse on the ground, which would also[122] severely effect and punish Kayin. Now when Kayin works the ground, it will no longer give him its strength. Additionally Kayin was punished that he no longer had permission to reside in a single location,[123] rather he would now be forced to wonder from place to place, throughout the earth.
Kayin replied and asked[124] Hashem, why his sin was to great for Hashem to bear when He braces the entire Upper and Lower Realms.[124] Kayin continued to express his fears; that today Hashem has banished him from the face of the earth and hidden him from His presence. Now Kayin must wounder from place to place across the earth and whoever finds him will kill him. Since there were no humans around other then his mother and father, from whom Kayin was not scared of being killed, he was worried about being killed by the animals and beasts.[125] Hashem had told Adom that the animals would all fear the humans, but now due to his sin, the animals would no longer fear Kayin and would kill him.[125]
Hashem responded and threatened[125] that whoever kills Kayin would be punished with an undisclosed punishment.[125] Additionally[125] Hashem declared that He does not want to take His vengeance upon Kayin for killing Hevel[125] at this point. Rather Kayin would only be punished for his sin after seven generations, when his descendent Lamech would rise and kill him.[125] Hashem then placed a mark on Kayin, carving a letter from His name into Kayin's forehead.[125] This restored Kayin's initial fear upon all the animals[125] and prevent him from being killed by all those who find him.
Kayin walked away pretending to be submissive, thinking he could deceive Hashem who has Supreme Knowledge.[110] He settled in the Land of Node, which was located east of Edan. This was the land where all the exiles wander.[110] Adom his father also went there when he was exiled.[110] Additionally the East always serves as a refuge for murderers, and that is why Moshe established the 3 refuge cities opposite the Jorden River, towards the east,[126] so murderers could fee there.[110] Wherever Kayin went the ground would shake under him (מתנדד) and people would proclaim to all to stay away from the person who killed his brother.[110]
Kayin knew his wife and she conceived and birthed Chanoch. Kayin[127] build a city, naming it after his son, so it should serve as a memorial for Chanoch.[127]
Chanoch birthed (beget)[128] Eirad
Eirad birthed Mechuel (wiped out by Hashem - מחויאל)[129]
Mechuel birthed Meshuel (torn out by Hashem - מתושאל).[129]
Meshuel birthed Lemech
Lemech births Yoval and Yuval from his wife Ada and Tuval Kayin and Nama from his wife Tzila.
In the Generation of the Flood, it was customary to marry two wives. One was used for relations and would have to drink a sterilizing liquid to prevent her from having children. She would then be adorned like a bride and fed fine foods and given a lot of attention.[130] The second wife was used for childbearing and would be neglected by her husband[130] and treated like an outcast and live like a mourning widow.[130]
Likewise Lemech married two wives. One was named Adah for the purpose of creating children. She was repulsive to Lemech and he kept away from
her.[130] Lemech's second wife was named Tzila for the purpose of relations and he always kept her around him like a shadow.[130]
Adah gave birth to Yoval. He was the trailblazer for all those who live in tents and maintain herds, since he was the first to pasture animals in desert areas. Yoval would setup his tent in one location in order to pasture his flock. When the vegetation would be finished there, he would move his tent and set it up in another location.[131] This way he would end up spending one month in one location and the next in another location.[131] Yoval also made it a mission[7] to build housed for the service of idolatry.[131]
Adah also gave birth to Yuval who was the trailblazer for all those who play the harp and flute. Just like[131] his brother, Yuval used his musical talents to play music for idol worship.[131]
Tzila gave birth to Tuval Kayin who sharpened[132] and polished all kinds of tools used for crafting[132] copper and iron. He refined and spiced[132] the craft of the murderer Kayin by making weapons for murderers.[132] Tzila also gave birth to his sister Naama who later married Noach.[132]
Once Lemech had children and the seventh generation from Kayin had been brought into the world, Hashem fulfilled his promise to extract vengeance upon Kayin after seven generations.[130] Ironically Tuval Kayin who was the 7th generation and intensification[132] of Kayin, was killed along with him.[7]
Lemech was bling and his son Tuval Kayin would lead him hunting, telling him when to shoot arrows. Once Tuval Kayin saw Kayin from afar and mistakenly thought it was an animal. He instructed his father to draw his bow and shoot it. Lemech did so, killing Kayin. When Lemach was informed that he had killed his ancestor Kayin, he slammed his hands together in anguish. Tuval Kayin who happened to be standing between his fathers hands at that moment, was crushed to death.[133] Ironically, Tuval Kayin who was the 7th generation and intensification[132] of Kayin, was killed in the same incident as him.[7]
Following this incident, the wives of Lemech separated from him, refusing relationships with him.[133] Lemech tried to appease them[133] asking his wives Adah and Tzilah to listen to his words and agree to have relations with him.[133] He argued that he had not killed the man Kayin through a malicious skin penetrating wound[133] that is should be considered as if he wounded him.[133] Likewise did he kill his son Tuval Kayin through his malicious bruise. These had both happened unintentionally and without premeditation. Therefore they should not be considered as if they were 'his wound' and 'his bruise'.[133] Lemech continued to expound; that if Kayin who committed intentional murder, had his punishment postponed for seven generation, he Lemech who only killed unintentionally, should have his punishment postponed for many[134] amounts of 'seven generations'.[134]
This was similar to a previous ongoing dispute that Lemech had with his wives.[7] One they had given birth and fulfilled the commandment of childbearing, Ada and Tzila started separating themselves from Lemech. They had a tradition that Kayin's offspring would be destroyed after seven generations and they argued what would be the point to bear more children, just for them to be destroyed. They reminded Lemech that soon a flood would anyway come and wipe everyone out. Lemech responded that it was not him who had murdered Hevel, who had a physical build of a man but the age of a child. Therefore did not deserve that his descendants should be wiped out as punishment for that sin. If Kayin who had committed the murder, had his punishment suspended for seven generations, he Lemech, who did not kill, would certainly have the destruction of his offspring suspended for many times seven generations.[134] This however was a foolish argument, since if it was true, Hashem would not be able to exact the debt upon Kayin and fulfil His promise.[134]
Lemech came to Adom and complained about his wives. Adom told Adah and Tzila that it was not their job to calculate Hashem's decrees. They should fulfill their obligations and Hashem will fulfil his. Adah and Tzila responded by rebuking Adom that first he should fix and 'decorate' himself, since he had separated from his wife for the past 130 years, ever since he had cause death to be decreed upon humanity.[135]
Adom accepted this and shortly after[135] once again knew his wife, after having separated from her for 130 years.[136] Chava gave birth to a son which she called Shes, since Hashem had granted her (שת) another offspring in place of Hevel, who was killed by Kayin. Now that Adom ended his abstinence his desires became even greater then it had previously been.[135] This is typical for a person who practices abstinence and then reverts from it. He then falls into even greater desires then what he had before his abstinence.[137]
A son was also born to Shes and he named him Enosh. During the generation of Enosh Hashem's name was profaned,[138] when people began to call people and idols using the name of Hashem, turning them into objects of idol worship and calling them deities.[138]
These are the records of Adom's decedents, which began on the day Hashem created Adom in his image. Hashem created them male and female. Hashem blessed them and named them Adom on the day they were created.
On the day of his creation, Adom gave birth to Kayin. There were ten generations form Adam until Noach. This teaches you how great the tolerance of Hashem is, since all these generations kept on provoking Him, until He brought upon them the waters of the flood.[139]
Adam lived for 130 years and then had a son in his in his likeness and form, whom he named him Shes.
He then lived for an additional 800 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Adom lived for a total of 930 years before dying.
Shes lived for 105 years and then had a son named Enosh
He then lived for an additional 807 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Shes lived for a total of 912 years before dying.
Enosh lived for 90 years and then had a son named Kanun
He then lived for an additional 815 years during which he had other sons and daughters. During the lifetime of Enosh the Ocean flooded a third of the World.[129]
Enosh lived for a total of 905 years before dying.
Kanun lived for 70 years and then had a son named Mehalalel
He then lived for an additional 840 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Kanun lived for a total of 910 years before dying.
Mehalalel lived for 65 years and then had a son named Yered
He then lived for an additional 830 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Mehalalel lived for a total of 895 years before dying.
Yered lived for 162 years and then had a son named Chanoch
He then lived for an additional 800 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Yered lived for a total of 962 years before dying.
Chanoch lived for 65 years and then had a son named Mesushelach
He then lived for an additional 300 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Chanoch lived for a total of 365 years and was then taken by Hashem
Mesushelach lived for 187 years and then had a son named Lemech
He then lived for an additional 782 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Mesushelach lived for a total of 969 years before dying.
Lemech lived for 182 years and then had a son named Noach from whom the world was rebuilt.[140]
He then lived for an additional 595 years during which he had other sons and daughters.
Lemech lived for a total of 777 years before dying.
Noach lived for 500 years and then before having children. He had three sons Shem, Cham and Yafes
Chanoch walked with Hashem, serving Him in contrast to the rest of his generation. He was a righteous man but was susceptible to shift his mind and turn to evil ways, therefore Hashem hurried and took him away, making him die before his set time,[141] so he was no longer in this world to complete his years.[141] Chanoch ascended to Heaven to testify on behalf of Hashem for the period preceding the Flood,[142] just like Pinchas later ascended to testify on Behalf of Hashem for the period following the Flood.[142] Hashem selected Chanoch since he was the 7th generation and He desires the sevenths.[142]
Lemech named his son Noach since he predicted that he would relieve[143] (ינחמו) mankind from their work and the anguish of their hands, which was caused by the ground which Hashem cursed. Noach invented plowing tools, which he created[143] for the people of his generation who until then struggled to manage without them. Additionally the ground would sprout thorns and thistles when they planted wheat since the curse of Adom, but this ceased during the time of Noach.[143]
Noach had his first son Yefes twenty years after the 'Decree of the Flood'.[144] Unlike his ancestors who had children at around the age of 100, Hashem restrained Noach from having kids until age 500. This way Yefes, his oldest son would be under the age of 100 at the time of the flood, which was the threshold of the punishable age before the 'Giving of the Torah'.[145] So even if Noach's children would end up wicked, they would not perish during the flood since they were still underage and cause pain to Noach.[145] On the flip hand if his children would have ended up righteous then Noach would have to be burdened to create numerous Arks to fit them all.[145] Therefore Noach did not start having kids until he aged, in order to limit the amount of kids he would have before the Flood.
Yefes was Noach's oldest son but Shem was more important since he was a Tzadik, was born circumcised and Avrahom descended from him.[145]
Humanity began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them. The Beni Elohim, sons of the ministers and judges[146] authorities[146] saw that the women were good and they took wives for themselves from whomever they chose, including married women, males and animals.[146] At the time when they would improve a woman's appearance by adorning her to enter the marriage canopy, an important person would come to have relations with her first.[146]
Additionally during the Generation of the Flood, two angels SM and AZ fell from Heaven.[147] These fallen angles who were originally ministers serving as messengers for Hashem also intermingled with the women.[146] During the generation of Enosh and the Sons of Kayin[129] the Nefilim giants[129] who fell (נפלו) and caused the downfall (הפילו) of the world,[129] resided on the earth. Also after they saw the destruction of the Generation of Enosh, when the Ocean rose up and flooded a third of the World, the Generation of the Flood, still did not learn from this a lesson and become submissive.[129] When the Beni Elohim would have relations with the human women, they would give birth to giants similar to them.[129] These were the ancient mighty ones in rebelling against Hashem.[129] They were men of desolation since they caused the World to become desolate.[129] These included men with distinct names that alluded to their future destructions;[129] Irad, Mechuel (wiped out by Hashem - מחויאל) and Meshuel (torn out by Hashem - מתושאל).[129]
Hashem told Himself that His sprit will not continue to deliberate and remain in a state of dispute and conflict[144] over humanity forever. Currently His sprit is deliberating within Him, whether He should destroy humanity or have mercy on them.[144] However this deliberation would not remain in His sprit for a much longer period of time.[144] Since the humans also contain[144] the evil aspect that they are only mere flesh and nonetheless they are not submissive to Hashem. Where humans to be composed from fire or a tougher matter,[144] they certainly would not be submissive.
Hashem then decreed that up until[144] a period 120 years He will be patient with them.[144] If they do not repent during this time He will bring upon them a Flood.[144] This decree took place 20 years before Noach had children.[148]
Hashem saw the great wickedness of humanity on Earth and how the desires of their hearts thoughts were completely evil all day long. Hashem was comforted that at least He created mankind in the Physical World. Had He created them in the Upper Realms, man would have incited the heavenly entities to also rebel against Hashem.[149] Hashem 'grieved in His Heart' and mourned over the destruction of his creations. Although Hashem was fully aware when he created humans that they would eventually sin and have to be destroyed, He still created them for the sake of the righteous people who would emanate from them.[149] This is similar to a father who rejoices when his son is born although he knows that one day his son must die, since one rejoices at a time of rejoicing and mourns at the time of mourning.[149]
It entered Hashem's Mind to cause mankind[149] to grieve.[149] His thoughts changed from acting according to the Attribute of Mercy to acting according to the Attribute of Justice. Hashem reconsidered[149] what to do with the humans that He had created on Earth.[149] The great evil of man caused the attribute of of Hashem's mercy to be turned into the strict attribute of justice.[150]
Hashem declared that He will destroy humanity which He had created, of the face of the Earth. Man was created from dust, therefore Hashem will bring water upon him and dissolve him.[151] Hashem will destroy everything including humans, animals, crawling creatures and the birds of the sky. Since the animals also perverted their ways, they also deserved to be destroyed.[151] Additionally since the animals were only created for humans, now that humanity will be wiped out, they will serve no purpose.[151] Since Hashem created humanity, he now considered what to do with them and He decided to wipe them out.[151] Noach found favor in Hashem's eyes.