Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

We are beginning the holy Torah with the very first aliyah of Parshas Bereshit, where Hashem creates the entire world from absolute nothingness. Over the course of the six days of creation, we see how Hashem brings order to the initial state of emptiness and darkness, setting up the universe to serve as the ultimate place for Torah and mitzvos.

This aliyah takes us day by day through the creation of light, the separation of the waters, the appearance of dry land and vegetation, the setting of the sun, moon, and stars, and the creation of all living creatures. Finally, Hashem creates Adam and Chava, blesses them to be fruitful and multiply, and establishes the holiness of the very first Shabbos.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

בְּרֵאשִׁיתIn the beginning ofבָּרָאcreatingאֱלֹהִיםGodאֵת—הַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְאֵתand —הָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

בראשית.In the beginningאָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiיִצְחָקYitzchakלֹֹֹֹֹאnotהָיָהwasצָרִיךְnecessaryלְהַתְחִילto beginאֶת—הַתּוֹרָהthe Torahאֶלָּאexceptמֵהַחֹדֶשׁfrom this monthהַזֶּהthisלָכֶם,for youשֶׁהִיאwhich isמִצְוָהcommandmentרִאשׁוֹנָהthe firstשֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּthat they were commandedבָּהּwith itיִשׂרָאֵל,Yisraelוּמַהand whatטַּעַםis the reasonפָּתַחHe openedבִּבְרֵאשִׁית?with In the beginningמִשׁוּםbecause ofכֹּחַthe strength ofמַעֲשָׂיוHis worksהִגִּידHe declaredלְעַמּוֹto His peopleלָתֵתto giveלָהֶםto themנַחֲלַתthe heritage ofגּוֹיִםnationsתהיליםTehillimקי"א111,שֶׁאִםfor ifיֹאמְרוּthey will sayאֻמּוֹתthe nations ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldלְיִשְׁרָאֵלto Yisraelלִסְטִיםrobbersאַתֶּם,are youשֶׁכְּבַשְׁתֶּםbecause you conqueredאַרְצוֹתthe lands ofשִׁבְעָהsevenגוֹיִם,nationsהֵםtheyאוֹמְרִיםsayלָהֶםto themכָּלall ofהָאָרֶץthe earthשֶׁלbelongs toהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heהִיא,it isהוּאHeבְרָאָהּcreated itוּנְתָנָהּand gave itלַאֲשֶׁרto whomיָשַׁרit was rightבְּעֵינָיו,in His eyesבִּרְצוֹנוֹby His willנְתָנָהּHe gave itלָהֶם,to themוּבִרְצוֹנוֹand by His willנְטָלָהּHe took itמֵהֶםfrom themוּנְתָנָהּand gave itלָנוּ:to us

רַשִׁ״י

בראשיתIn the beginningבראcreatedאֵיןnotהַמִּקְרָאthe verseהַזֶּהthisאוֹמֵרsaysאֶלָּאexceptדָּרְשֵׁנִי,explain meכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁדְּרָשׁוּהוּthat they explained itרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahשֶׁנִקְרֵאתwhich is calledרֵאשִׁיתthe beginning ofדַּרְכּוֹHis wayמשליProverbsח'8,וּבִשְׁבִילand for the sake ofיִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelשֶׁנִקְרְאוּwho are calledרֵאשִׁיתthe beginning ofתְּבוּאָתוֹHis increaseירמיהJeremiahב'2;וְאִםand ifבָּאתָyou comeלְפָרְשׁוֹto explain itכִּפְשׁוּטוֹ,according to its plain senseכָּךְthusפָּרְשֵׁהוּexplain itבְּרֵאשִׁיתat the beginning ofבְּרִיאַתthe creation ofשָׁמַיִםheavenוָאָרֶץ,and earthוְהָאָרֶץand the earthהָיְתָהwasתֹהוּwithout formוָבֹהוּand voidוְחֹשֶׁךְand darknessוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidאֱלֹהִיםGodיְהִיlet there beאוֹרlightוְלֹאand the earthבָאand notהַמִּקְרָאcomesלְהוֹרוֹתthe verseסֵדֶרto teachהַבְּרִיאָהthe order ofלוֹמַרthe creationשֶׁאֵלּוּto sayקָדְמוּ,that theseשֶׁאִםprecededבָּאfor ifלְהוֹרוֹתit cameכָּךְ,to teachהָיָהthusלוֹit wasלִכְתֹּבfor itבָּרִאשׁוֹנָהto writeבָּרָאat firstאֶתHe createdהַשָּׁמַיִם—וְגוֹ'the heavensשֶׁאֵיןetc.לְךָfor there is notרֵאשִׁיתto youבַּמִּקְרָאbeginningשֶׁאֵינוֹin Scriptureדָבוּקthat is notלַתֵּבָהattachedשֶׁלְּאַחֲרָיו,to the wordכְּמוֹthat is after itבְּרֵאשִׁיתlikeמַמְלֶכֶתin the beginning ofיְהוֹיָקִיםthe reign ofשׁםYehoyakimכ"זthere,רֵאשִׁית27מַמְלַכְתּוֹthe beginning ofבראשיתhis kingdomי'Genesis,רֵאשִׁית10דְּגָנְךָthe first ofדבריםyour cornי"ח,Deuteronomyד'18,–אַף4כָּאןevenאַתָּהhereאוֹמֵרyouבְּרֵאשִׁיתsayבָּרָאin the beginning ofאֱלֹהִיםcreatingוְגוֹ',Godכְּמוֹetc.בְּרֵאשִׁיתlikeבְּרֹא;in the beginning ofוְדוֹמֶהcreatingלוֹand similarתְּחִלַּתto itדִּבֶּרthe beginning ofה'speaking ofבְּהוֹשֵׁעַHashemהושעthrough Hosheaא'Hoshea,כְּלוֹמַר1תְּחִלַתmeaning to sayדִּבּוּרוֹthe beginning ofשֶׁלHis speakingהַקָּבָּ"הofבְּהוֹשֵׁעַ,the Holy Oneוַיֹּאמֶרthrough Hosheaה'and He saidאֶלHashemהוֹשֵׁעַtoוְגוֹ'.Hosheaוְאִ"תֹּetc.לְהוֹרוֹתand if you sayבָּאto teachשֶׁאֵלּוּit cameתְּחִלָּהthat theseנִבְרְאוּ,firstוּפֵרוּשׁוֹwere createdבְּרֵאשִׁיתand its explanation isהַכֹּלin the beginning ofבָּרָאeverythingאֵלוּHe created–וְֵישׁtheseלְךָand there areמִקְרָאוֹתto youשֶׁמְּקַצְּרִיםversesלְשׁוֹנָםthat shortenוּמְמַעֲטִיםtheir languageתֵּבָהand omitאַחַת,wordכְּמוֹoneכִּיlikeלֹאbecauseסָגַרnotדַּלְתֵיit closedבִטְנִיthe doors ofאיובmy wombג'Job,וְלֹא3פֵּרֵשׁand notמִיit explainedהַסּוֹגֵרwhoוּכְמוֹthe closerיִשָּׂאand likeאֶתhe shall carryחֵיל—דַּמֶּשֶׂקthe wealth ofישעיהוDamascusח'Isaiah,וְלֹא8פֵּרֵשׁand notמִיit explainedיִשָּׂאֶנּוּ;whoוּכְמוֹshall carry itאִםand likeיַחֲרוֹשׁifבַּבְּקָרִיםone plowsעמוסwith oxenו'Amos,וְלֹא6פֵּרֵשׁand notאִםit explainedיַחֲרוֹשׁifאָדָםplowsבַּבְּקָרִים,a manוּכְמוֹwith oxenמַגִּידand likeמֵרֵאשִׁיתdeclaringאַחֲרִיתfrom the beginningישעיהוthe endמ"וIsaiah,וְלֹא46פֵּרֵשׁand notמַגִּידit explainedמֵרֵאשִׁיתdeclaringדָּבָרfrom the beginning ofאַחֲרִיתa thingדָּבָרthe end of–אִ"כֵּ,a thingתְּמַהּif soעַלbe astonishedעַצְמְךָ,atשֶׁהֲרֵיyourselfהַמַּיִםfor beholdקָדְמוּ,the watersשֶׁהֲרֵיprecededכְתִיבfor beholdוְרוּחַit is writtenאֱלֹהִיםand the spirit ofמְרַחֶפֶתGodעַלhoveringפְּנֵיuponהַמָּיִם,the face ofוְעַדַיִיןthe watersלֹאand stillגִלָּהnotהַמִּקְרָא,revealedבְּרִיאַתthe verseהַמַּיִםthe creation ofמָתַיthe watersהָיְתָה,whenהָאit wasלָמַדְתָּ,beholdשֶׁקָּדְמוּyou learnedהַמַּיִםthat precededלָאָרֶץ,the watersוְעוֹד,to the earthשֶׁהַשָּׁמַיִםand furthermoreמֵאֵשׁthat the heavensוּמַיִםfrom fireנִבְרְאוּ,and waterעַלwere createdכָּרְחֲךָ·לֹאperforceלִמֵּדnotהַמִּקְרָאtaughtסֵדֶרthe verseהַמֻּקְדָמִיםthe order ofוְהַמְאֻחָרִיםthe earlier thingsכְּלוּם:and the later things

רַשִׁ״י

בראCreatedאלהיםGodוְלֹאand notנֶאֱמַרwas it saidבָּרָאcreatedה',Hashemשֶׁבַּתְּחִלָּהfor at firstעָלָהit aroseבְמַחֲשָׁבָהin thoughtלִבְרֹאתוֹto create itבְּמִדַּתwith the attribute ofהַדִּין,strict justiceרָאָהHe sawשֶׁאֵיןthat notהָעוֹלָםthe worldמִתְקַיֵּם,could endureהִקְדִּיםHe gave precedence toמִדַּתthe attribute ofרַחֲמִיםmercyוְשִׁתְּפָהּand partnered itלְמִהַ"דִּ,with attribute of justiceוְהַיְינוּand this isדִּכְתִיבthat which is writtenבְּיוֹםon the day ofעֲשׂוֹתmakingה'HashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶרֶץearthוְשָׁמָיִם:and heaven

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וְהָאָרֶץand the earthהָיְתָהwasתֹהוּastonishingly emptyוָבֹהוּand desolateוְחֹשֶׁךְand darknessעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofתְהוֹםthe deepוְרוּחַand the wind ofאֱלֹהִיםGodמְרַחֶפֶתwas hoveringעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמָּיִם׃the waters

רַשִׁ״י

תהוDesolateובהו.and voidתֹּהוּdesolateלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofתֵּמַהּastonishmentוְשִׁמָּמוֹן,and desolationשֶׁאָדָםthat a personתּוֹהֵאwould be astonishedוּמִשְׁתּוֹמֵםand amazedעַלatבֹּהוּthe emptinessשֶׁבָּהּ:that is in it

רַשִׁ״י

תהו.Tohuאשטורדי"שוןestordisonבְּלַעַ"ז:in foreign tongue

רַשִׁ״י

בהו.Bohuלְשׁוֹןan expression ofרֵקוּתemptinessוְצָדוּ:and waste

רַשִׁ״י

עלOnפניthe face ofתהום.the deepעַלonפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמַּיִםthe watersשֶׁעַלwhich are onהָאָרֶץ:the earth

רַשִׁ״י

ורוחAnd the spirit ofאלהיםGodמרחפת.was hoveringכִּסֵאthe throne ofהַכָּבוֹדthe Gloryעוֹמֵדwas standingבָּאֲוִירin the airוּמְרַחֵףand hoveringעַלoverפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמַּיִםthe watersבְּרוּחַby the breath ofפִּיוHis mouthשֶׁלofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heוּבְמַאֲמָרוֹ,and by His commandכְּיוֹנָהlike a doveהַמְרַחֶפֶתthat hoversעַלoverהַקֵּן,the nestאקוב"טירacoveterבְּלַעַ"ז:in foreign tongue

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodיְהִיlet there beאוֹרlightוַיְהִיand there wasאוֹר׃light

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיַּרְאAnd sawאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—הָאוֹרthe lightכִּיthatטוֹבgoodוַיַּבְדֵּלand separatedאֱלֹהִיםGodבֵּיןbetweenהָאוֹרthe lightוּבֵיןand betweenהַחֹשֶׁךְ׃the darkness

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd He sawאלהיםGodאת—האורthe lightכיthatטובit was goodויבדל.and He separatedאַףEvenבָּזֶהin thisאָנוּweצְרִיכִיןneedלְדִבְרֵיthe words ofאַגַּדָה,AgadaרָאָהוּHe saw itשֶׁאֵינוֹthat it is notכְדַאיfittingלְהִשְׁתַּמֵשׁto useבּוֹitרְשָׁעִים,wicked peopleוְהִבְדִּילוֹand He set-it-apartלַצַּדִּיקִיםfor the righteousלֶעָתִידfor the futureלָבֹא.to comeוּלְפִיAnd according toפְּשׁוּטוֹits plain senseכָּךְthusפָּרְשֵׁהוּ,explain itרָאָהוּHe saw itכִּיthatטוֹב,it was goodוְאֵיןand it is notנָאֶהseemlyלוֹfor itוְלַחֹשֶׁךְand for the darknessשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they should beמִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁיםfunctioningבְּעִרְבּוּבְיָא,in confusionוְקָבַעand He establishedלָזֶהfor this oneתְחוּמוֹhis boundaryבַּיּוֹם,by dayוְלָזֶהand for this oneתְחוּמוֹhis boundaryבַּלַּיְלָה:by night

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledאֱלֹהִיםGodלָאוֹרto the lightיוֹםDayוְלַחֹשֶׁךְand to the darknessקָרָאHe calledלָיְלָהNightוַיְהִיand there wasעֶרֶבeveningוַיְהִיand there wasבֹקֶרmorningיוֹםdayאֶחָד׃one

רַשִׁ״י

יוםDayאחד.oneלְפִיaccording toסֵדֶרthe order ofלְשׁוֹןthe language ofהַפָּרָשָׁהthe Torah portionהָיָהit wasלוֹfor itלִכְתֹּבto writeיוֹםdayרִאשׁוֹן,firstכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁכָּתוּבthat is writtenבִּשְׁאָרon the rest ofהַיָּמִיםthe daysשֵׁנִי,secondשְׁלִישִׁי,thirdרְבִיעִי,fourthלָמָּהwhyכָתַבdid it writeאֶחָד?oneלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהָיָהthat wasהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneיָחִידaloneבְּעוֹלָמוֹ,in His worldשֶׁלֹאsince notנִבְרְאוּwere createdהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsעַדuntilיוֹםdayשֵׁנִי,the secondכָּךְsoמְפֹרָשׁis explainedבּבְ"רַ:in Bereishis Rabbah

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodיְהִיlet there beרָקִיעַan expanseבְּתוֹךְin the midst ofהַמָּיִםthe watersוִיהִיand let it beמַבְדִּילseparatingבֵּיןbetweenמַיִםwatersלָמָיִם׃to waters

רַשִׁ״י

יהיLet there beרקיע.an expanseיֶחֱזַקlet it strengthenהָרָקִיעַ,the expanseשֶׁאַףfor evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנִּבְרְאוּthat they were createdשָׁמַיִםheavensבְּיוֹםon the dayא'firstעֲדַיִןstillלַחִיםfluidהָיוּthey wereוְקָרְשׁוּand they congealedבַשֵּׁנִיon the secondמִגַּעֲרַתfrom the rebuke ofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneבְּאָמְרוֹwhen He saidיְהִיlet there beרָקִיעַ,an expanseוְזֶהוּand this isשֶׁכָּתַבthat is writtenאיובIyovכ"וtwenty sixעַמּוּדֵיthe pillars ofשָׁמַיִםheavenיְרוֹפָפוּtrembled–כָּלall ofיוֹםthe dayרִאשׁוֹן,firstוּבַשֵּׁנִיand on the secondיִתְמְהוּthey were astonishedמִגַּעֲרָתוֹ,at His rebukeכְּאָדָםlike a manשֶׁמִּשְׁתּוֹמֵםwho is astonishedוְעוֹמֵדand standsמִגַּעֲרַתfrom the rebuke ofהַמְאַיֵּםone who threatensעָלָיו:him

רַשִׁ״י

בתוךIn the midst ofהמים.the watersבְּאֶמְצַעin the middle ofהַמַּיִם,the watersשֶׁיֵּשfor there isהֶפְרֵשׁa distanceבֵּיןbetweenמַיִםthe watersהָעֶליוֹנִיםthe upperלָרָקִיעַto the firmamentכְּמוֹjust asבֵיןbetweenהָרָקִיעַthe firmamentלַמַּיִםto the watersשֶׁעַלthat are uponהָאָרֶץ,the earthהָאbeholdלָמַדְתָּ,you have learnedשֶׁהֵםthat theyתְּלוּיִיםare suspendedבְּמַאֲמָרוֹby the wordשֶׁלofמֶלֶךְ:the King

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיַּעַשׂAnd He madeאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—הָרָקִיעַthe expanseוַיַּבְדֵּלand He separatedבֵּיןbetweenהַמַּיִםthe watersאֲשֶׁרwhichמִתַּחַתwere beneathלָרָקִיעַthe expanseוּבֵיןand betweenהַמַּיִםthe watersאֲשֶׁרwhichמֵעַלwere aboveלָרָקִיעַthe expanseוַיְהִיand it wasכֵן׃so

רַשִׁ״י

ויעשAnd He madeאלהיםGodאת—הרקיע.the expanseתִּקְּנוֹHe established itעַלuponעָמְדוֹ,its postוְהִיאand this isעֲשִׂיָּתוֹ,its makingכְּמוֹlikeוְעָשְׂתָהand she shall trimאֶת—צִפָּרְנֶיהָher nailsדבריםDevarimכ"אtwenty one:

רַשִׁ״י

מעלFrom aboveלרקיע.to the expanseעַלuponהָרָקִיעַthe expanseלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרwas it saidאֶלָּאbut ratherמֵעַלfrom aboveלָרָקִיעַ,to the expanseלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthat theyתְּלוּיִיןare suspendedבָּאֲוִיר.in the airוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרwas it saidכִּיthatטוֹבit is goodבְּיוֹםon the dayשֵׁנִי?secondלְפִיbecauseשֶׁלֹאthat notהָיָהwasנִגְמָרcompletedמְלֶאכֶתthe work ofהַמַּיִםthe watersעַדuntilיוֹםdayשְׁלִישִׁי,the thirdוַהֲרֵיand beholdהִתְחִילHe beganבָּהּin itבְּשֵׁנִי,on the secondוְדָבָרand a thingשֶׁלֹּאthat notנִגְמַרis completedאֵינוֹis notבִּמְלוֹאוֹin its completenessוְטוּבוֹ;and its goodnessוּבַשְּׁלִישִׁיand on the thirdשֶׁנִּגְמַרwhen was completedמְלֶאכֶתthe work ofהַמַּיִםthe watersוְהִתְחִילand He beganוְגָמַרand completedמְלָאכָהworkאֲחֶרֶת,anotherכָּפַלHe doubledבּוֹon itכִּיthatטוֹבit is goodשְׁתֵּיtwoפְּעָמִים,timesאַחַתoneלִגְמַרfor the completion ofמְלֶאכֶתthe work ofהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondוְאַחַתand oneלִגְמַרfor the completion ofמְלֶאכֶתthe work ofהַיּוֹם:the day

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledאֱלֹהִיםGodלָרָקִיעַto the expanseשָׁמָיִםHeavenוַיְהִיand there wasעֶרֶבeveningוַיְהִיand there wasבֹקֶרmorningיוֹםdayשֵׁנִי׃second

רַשִׁ״י

ויקראAnd He calledאלהיםGodלרקיעto the expanseשמים.Heavenשָׂאcarryמַיִם,waterשָׁםthere isמַיִם,waterאֵשׁfireוּמַיִם,and waterשֶׁעֵרְבָןthat He mixed themזֶהthisבָזֶהwith thisוְעָשָׂהand He madeמֵהֶםfrom themשָׁמַיִם:heaven

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodיִקָּווּlet gatherהַמַּיִםthe watersמִתַּחַתfrom underהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensאֶלtoמָקוֹםa placeאֶחָדoneוְתֵרָאֶהand let appearהַיַּבָּשָׁהthe dry landוַיְהִיand it wasכֵן׃so

רַשִׁ״י

יקווThe waters shall gatherהמים.the watersשֶׁהָיוּfor they wereשְׁטוּחִיןspreadעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofכָלall ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוְהִקְוָםand He gathered themבָּאוֹקְיָנוֹסinto the oceanהוּאit isהַיָּםthe seaהַגָּדוֹלthe greatשֶׁבְּכָלwhich is of allהַיַּמִּים:the seas

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledאֱלֹהִיםGodלַיַּבָּשָׁהthe dry landאֶרֶץEarthוּלְמִקְוֵהand to the gathering ofהַמַּיִםthe watersקָרָאHe calledיַמִּיםSeasוַיַּרְאAnd sawאֱלֹהִיםGodכִּיthatטוֹב׃it was good

רַשִׁ״י

קראHe calledימים.seasוַהֲלֹאbut is it notיָםseaאֶחָדoneהוּא?it isאֶלָּאratherאֵינוֹis notדוֹמֶהsimilarטַעַםthe taste ofדָּגfishהָעוֹלֶהthat comes upמִןfromהַיָּםthe seaבְּעַכּוֹin Accoלְטַעַםto the taste ofדָּגfishהָעוֹלֶהthat comes upמִןfromהַיָּםthe seaבְּאַסְפַּמְיָא:in Aspamia

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidאֱלֹהִיםG-dתַּדְשֵׁאshall sproutהָאָרֶץthe earthדֶּשֶׁאvegetationעֵשֶׂבherbageמַזְרִיעַyieldingזֶרַעseedעֵץtree ofפְּרִיfruitעֹשֶׂהmakingפְּרִיfruitלְמִינוֹaccording to its kindאֲשֶׁרwhichזַרְעוֹits seedבוֹis in itעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthוַיְהִיand it wasכֵן׃so

רַשִׁ״י

תדשאLet sproutהארץthe earthדשאsproutעשב.herbלֹאnotדֶּשֶׁאdesheלְשׁוֹןthe term ofעֵשֶׂבesevוְלֹאand notעֵשֶׂבesevלְשׁוֹןthe term ofדֶּשֶׁא,desheוְלֹאand notהָיָהwas itלְשׁוֹןthe style ofהַמִּקְרָאthe Scriptureלוֹמַרto sayתַּעֲשִׂיבshall herbהָאָרֶץ,the earthשֶׁמִינֵיfor species ofדְּשָׁאִיםsproutsמְחֻלָּקִין,are distinctכָּלeachאֶחָדoneלְעַצְמוֹby itselfנִקְרָאis calledעֵשֶׂבherb ofפְּלוֹנִי,so-and-soוְאֵיןand there is noלָשׁוֹןexpressionלַמְדַבֵּרfor the speakerלוֹמַרto sayדֶּשֶׁאdeshe ofפְּלוֹנִי,so-and-soשֶׁלְּשׁוֹןfor the termדֶּשֶׁאdesheהוּאisלְבִישַׁתthe clothing ofהָאָרֶץthe earthכְּשֶׁהִיאwhen itמִתְמַלֵּאתis filledבִּדְשָׁאִים:with sprouts

רַשִׁ״י

תדשאLet sproutהארץ.the earthתִּתְמַלֵּאlet it be filledוְתִתְכַּסֶּהand let it be coveredלְבוּשׁa garment ofעֲשָׂבִים.herbsבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofלַעַזforeign tongueנִקְרָאis calledדֶּשֶׁאdesheארבריץ,herbariesכֻּלָןall of themבְּעִרְבּוּבְיָא,in a mixtureוְכָלand everyשֹׁרֶשׁrootלְעַצְמוֹby itselfנִקְרָאis calledעֵשֶׂב:an esev

רַשִׁ״י

מזריעyieldingזרע.seedשֶׁיְּגַדֵּלthat it should growבּוֹwithin itselfזַרְעוֹits seedלִזְרֹעַto sowמִמֶּנוּfrom itבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאַחֵר:another

רַשִׁ״י

עץA treeפרי.of fruitשֶׁיְּהֵאthat should beטַעַםthe taste ofהָעֵץthe treeכְּטַעַםlike the taste ofהַפְּרִי,the fruitוְהִיאbut itלֹאdid notעָשְׂתָהdoכֵן,soאֶלָּאratherוַתּוֹצֵאand brought forthהָאָרֶץthe earthעֵץa treeעוֹשֶׂהyieldingפְּרִיfruitוְלֹאand notהָעֵץthe treeפְּרִי,itself fruitלְפִיכָךְthereforeכְּשֶׁנִּתְקַלֵּלwhen was cursedאָדָםAdamעַלforעֲוֹנוֹhis sinנִפְקְדָהshe was rememberedגַםalsoהִיאsheעַלforעֲוֹנָהּher sinוְנִתְקַלְּלָה:and was cursed

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhoseזרעוits seedבו.is in itהֵןthey areגַרְעִינֵיthe kernels ofכָלeveryפְּרִיfruitשֶׁמֵּהֶןthat from themהָאִילָןthe treeצוֹמֵחַgrowsכְּשֶׁנּוֹטְעִיןwhen they plantאוֹתוֹ:it

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַתּוֹצֵאAnd brought forthהָאָרֶץthe earthדֶּשֶׁאvegetationעֵשֶׂבherbageמַזְרִיעַyieldingזֶרַעseedלְמִינֵהוּaccording to its kindוְעֵץand a treeעֹשֶׂהproducingפְּרִיfruitאֲשֶׁרwhoseזַרְעוֹseedבוֹis in itלְמִינֵהוּaccording to its kindוַיַּרְאand sawאֱלֹהִיםGodכִּיthatטוֹב׃it was good

רַשִׁ״י

ותוצאAnd she brought forthהארץthe earthוגו'.etc.אַעַ"פִּEven thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notנֶאֱמַרwas it saidלְמִינֵהוּaccording to its kindבַּדְּשָׁאִיןregarding the herbsבְּצִוּוּיֵיהֶן,in their commandingשָׁמְעוּthey heardשֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּthat were commandedהָאִילָנוֹתthe treesעַלuponכָּךְ,thisנָשְׂאוּthey appliedקַ"וָan a fortiori argumentבְּעַצְמָן,to themselvesכַּמְּפֹרָשׁas is explainedבָּאַגָּדָהin the Aggadahבִּשְׁחִיטַתin the slaughter ofחֻלִּין:Chullin

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיְהִיAnd there wasעֶרֶבeveningוַיְהִיand there wasבֹקֶרmorningיוֹםdayשְׁלִישִׁי׃a third

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodיְהִיlet there beמְאֹרֹתlightsבִּרְקִיעַin the expanse ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensלְהַבְדִּילto separateבֵּיןbetweenהַיּוֹםthe dayוּבֵיןand betweenהַלָּיְלָהthe nightוְהָיוּand they shall beלְאֹתֹתfor signsוּלְמוֹעֲדִיםand for festivalsוּלְיָמִיםand for daysוְשָׁנִים׃and years

רַשִׁ״י

יהיLet there beמארתluminariesוגו'.etc.מִיֹּוםfrom the dayרִאשׁוֹןfirstנִבְרְאוּthey were createdוּבָרְבִיעִיand on the fourthצִוָּהHe commandedעֲלֵיהֶםupon themלְהִתָּלוֹתto be suspendedבָּרָקִיעַ,in the firmamentוְכֵןand soכָּלallתּוֹלְדוֹתthe productions ofשָׁמַיִםheavenוָאָרֶץand earthנִבְרְאוּwere createdמִיּוֹםfrom the dayרִאשׁוֹן,firstוְכָלand eachאֶחָדoneוְאֶחָדand oneנִקְבַּעwas fixedבַּיוֹםon the dayשֶׁנִּגְזַרthat was decreedעָלָיו,upon itהוּאthat isשֶׁכָּתוּבwhat is writtenאֵת—הַשָּׁמַיִם,the heavensלְרַבּוֹתto includeתּוֹלְדוֹתֵיהֶם,their productionsוְאֵתand —הָאָרֶץ,the earthלְרַבּוֹתto includeתּוֹלְדוֹתֶיהָ:its productions

רַשִׁ״י

יהיLet there beמארת.lightsחָסֵרlackingוָי"וthe letter vavכְּתִיב,it is writtenעַלbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isיוֹםa day ofמְאֵרָהcurseלִפֹּלto fallאַסְכָּרָהcroupבַּתִּינוֹקוֹת,upon the childrenהוּאthis isשֶׁשָּׁנִינוּthat we learnedבְּד'on the fourthהָיוּthey wereמִתְעַנִּיםfastingעַלforאַסְכָּרָהcroupשֶׁלֹּאthat notתִפֹּלit should fallבַּתִּינוֹקוֹת:upon the children

רַשִׁ״י

להבדילTo divideביןbetweenהיוםthe dayוביןand betweenהלילה.the nightמִשֶּׁנִּגְנַזfrom when was hiddenהָאוֹרthe lightהָרִאשׁוֹן,the firstאֲבָלbutבְּשִׁבְעַתduring the sevenיְמֵיdays ofבְרֵאשִׁיתCreationשִׁמְּשׁוּservedהָאוֹרthe lightוְהַחֹשֶׁךְand the darknessהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםthe firstיַחַדtogetherבֵּיןbothבַּיּוֹםby dayוּבֵיןand bothבַּלַּיְלָה:by night

רַשִׁ״י

והיוAnd they shall beלאותות.for signsכְּשֶׁהַמְּאוֹרוֹתwhen the luminariesלוֹקִין,are eclipsedסִימָןa signרַעof evilהוּאit isלָעוֹלָם,for the worldשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמֵאֹתוֹתfrom the signs ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensאַלdo notתֵּחָתּוּbe dismayedירמיהYirmeyahuי'ten,בַּעֲשׂוֹתְכֶםwhen you doרְצוֹןthe will ofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heאֵיןthere is noאַתֶּםyouצְרִיכִיןneedלִדְאֹגto worryמִןaboutהַפֻּרְעָנוּת:the retribution

רַשִׁ״י

ולמועדים.And for seasonsעַלonשֵׁםaccount ofהֶעָתִיד,the futureשֶׁעֲתִידִיםthat are destinedיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלְהִצְטַוּוֹתto be commandedעַלconcerningהַמּוֹעֲדוֹתthe festivalsוְהֵםand theyנִמְנִיםare calculatedלְמוֹלַדby the conjunctionהַלְּבָנָה:of the moon

רַשִׁ״י

ולימים.and for daysשִׁמּוּשׁthe service ofהַחַמָּהthe sunחֲצִיis halfיוֹםa dayוְשִׁמּוּשׁand the service ofהַלְּבָנָהthe moonחֶצְיוֹ,is its halfהֲרֵיbeholdיוֹםa dayשָׁלֵם:complete

רַשִׁ״י

ושנים.And for yearsלְסוֹףat the end ofשס"הthree hundred sixty-fiveיָמִיםdaysס"א·וּרְבִיעַand a quarter ofיוֹםa day,יִגְמְרוּthey completeמַהֲלָכָתָםtheir courseבְּי"בthrough twelveמַזָּלוֹתconstellationsהַמְשָׁרְתִיםthat serveאוֹתָם,themוְהִיאand that isשָׁנָה,a yearוְחוֹזְרִיםand they returnוּמַתְחִילִיםand they beginפַּעַםa timeשְׁנִיָּהsecondלְסַבֵּבto revolveבַּגַּלְגַּלin the sphereכְּמַהֲלָכָןlike their courseהָרִאשׁוֹן:the first

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וְהָיוּand they shall beלִמְאוֹרֹתfor lightsבִּרְקִיעַin the expanse ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensלְהָאִירto shineעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthוַיְהִיand it wasכֵן׃so

רַשִׁ״י

והיוAnd they shall beלמאורת.for lightsעוֹדfurthermoreזֹאתthisיְשַׁמְּשׁוּ,they shall serveשֶׁיָּאִירוּthat they should lightלָעוֹלָם:for the world

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיַּעַשׂAnd He madeאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—שְׁנֵיthe two ofהַמְּאֹרֹתthe lightsהַגְּדֹלִיםthe greatאֶת—הַמָּאוֹרthe lightהַגָּדֹלthe greaterלְמֶמְשֶׁלֶתfor the rule ofהַיּוֹםthe dayוְאֶתand —הַמָּאוֹרthe lightהַקָּטֹןthe lesserלְמֶמְשֶׁלֶתfor the rule ofהַלַּיְלָהthe nightוְאֵתand —הַכּוֹכָבִים׃the stars

רַשִׁ״י

המארתThe luminariesהגדולים.the greatשָׁוִיםequalנִבְרְאוּthey were createdוְנִתְמַעֲטָהand was diminishedהַלְּבָנָהthe moonעַלbecauseשֶׁקִּטְרְגָהthat she complainedוְאָמְרָהand saidאִ"אֶit is impossibleלִשְׁנֵיfor twoמְלָכִיםkingsשֶׁיִשְׁתַּמְּשׁוּto make useבְכֶתֶרof crownאֶחָד:one

רַשִׁ״י

ואתand —הכוכבים.the starsעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofשֶׁמִּעֵטthat He diminishedאֶת—הַלְּבָנָהthe moonהִרְבָּהHe increasedצְבָאָיהָits hostsלְהָפִיסto appeaseדַּעְתָּהּ:its mind

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיִּתֵּןAnd He setאֹתָםthemאֱלֹהִיםGodבִּרְקִיעַin the expanse ofהַשָּׁמָיִםthe heavensלְהָאִירto shineעַלuponהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְלִמְשֹׁלand to ruleבַּיּוֹםover the dayוּבַלַּיְלָהand over the nightוּלֲהַבְדִּילand to separateבֵּיןbetweenהָאוֹרthe lightוּבֵיןand betweenהַחֹשֶׁךְthe darknessוַיַּרְאand sawאֱלֹהִיםGodכִּיthatטוֹב׃it was good

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיְהִיAnd there wasעֶרֶבeveningוַיְהִיand there wasבֹקֶרmorningיוֹםdayרְבִיעִי׃fourth

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodיִשְׁרְצוּlet swarmהַמַּיִםthe watersשֶׁרֶץswarms ofנֶפֶשׁcreaturesחַיָּהlivingוְעוֹףand birdsיְעוֹפֵףlet flyעַלaboveהָאָרֶץthe earthעַלacrossפְּנֵיthe face ofרְקִיעַthe expanse ofהַשָּׁמָיִם׃the heavens

רַשִׁ״י

נפשA creatureחיה.livingשֶׁיְּהֵאthat there shall beבָהּin itחַיּוּת:vitality

רַשִׁ״י

שרץ.Swarming thingכָּלeveryדָּבָרthingחַיlivingשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notגָבוֹהַּhighמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe groundקָרוּיis calledשֶׁרֶץ:sheretzבָּעוֹף,among winged creaturesכְּגוֹןsuch asזְבוּבִים,fliesבַּשְּׁקָצִים,among abominable creaturesכְּגוֹןsuch asנְמָלִיםantsוְחִפּוּשִׁיםand beetlesוְתוֹלָעִים,and wormsבַּבְּרִיּוֹת,among creaturesכְּגוֹןsuch asחֹלֶדthe moleוְעַכְבָּרand mouseוְחֹמֶטand snailוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָהֶם,to themוְכָלand allהַדָּגִים:the fish

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וַיִּבְרָאAnd createdאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—הַתַּנִּינִםthe sea monstersהַגְּדֹלִיםthe greatוְאֵתand —כָּלeveryנֶפֶשׁcreatureהַחַיָּהlivingהָרֹמֶשֶׂתthat creepsאֲשֶׁרwhichשָׁרְצוּswarmedהַמַּיִםthe watersלְמִינֵהֶםaccording to their kindsוְאֵתand —כָּלeveryעוֹףbirdכָּנָףwingedלְמִינֵהוּaccording to its kindוַיַּרְאand sawאֱלֹהִיםGodכִּיthatטוֹב׃good

רַשִׁ״י

התנינם.The huge creaturesדָּגִיםfishגְּדוֹלִיםlargeשֶׁבַּיָּם,that are in the seaוּבְדִבְרֵיand in the words ofאַגָּדָהAggadahהוּאit isלִוְיָתָןLeviathanוּבֶןand itsזוּגוֹmateשֶׁבְּרָאָםthat He created themזָכָרmaleוּנְקֵבָהand femaleוְהָרַגand He killedאֶת—הַנְּקֵבָהthe femaleוּמְלָחָהּand salted herלַצַּדִּיקִיםfor the righteousלֶעָתִידfor the futureלָבֹא,to comeשֶׁאִםfor ifיִפְרוּthey would be fruitfulוְיִרְבּוּand multiplyלֹאnotיִתְקַיֵּםcould endureהָעוֹלָםthe worldבִּפְנֵיהֶם:before them

רַשִׁ״י

נפשA soulהחיה.that is livingשֶׁיֵּשthat there isבָּהּin itחַיּוּת:vitality

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וַיְבָרֶךְAnd blessedאֹתָםthemאֱלֹהִיםGodלֵאמֹרsayingפְּרוּbe fruitfulוּרְבוּand multiplyוּמִלְאוּand fillאֶת—הַמַּיִםthe watersבַּיַּמִּיםin the seasוְהָעוֹףand the birdsיִרֶבshall multiplyבָּאָרֶץ׃on the earth

רַשִׁ״י

ויברךAnd He blessedאותם.themלְפִיBecauseשֶׁמְּחַסְּרִיםthat they decreaseאוֹתָםthemוְצָדִיןand huntמֵהֶםof themוְאוֹכְלִיןand eatאוֹתָם,themהֻצְרְכוּthey neededלִבְרָכָה,a blessingוְאַףand evenהַחַיּוֹתthe beastsהֻצְרְכוּneededלִבְרָכָה,a blessingאֶלָּאbutמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentשֶׁעָתִידthat is destinedלִקְלָלָה,for curseלְכָךְthereforeלֹאHe did notבֵרְכָן,bless themשֶׁלֹּאso that notיְהֵאshould beהוּאitבִכְלָל:included

רַשִׁ״י

פרו.Be fruitfulלְ'is ofפְּרִיfruitכְּלוֹ'meaningעֲשׁוּmakeפֵּרוֹת:fruits

רַשִׁ״י

ורבו.And multiplyאִםifלֹאnotאָמַרHe had saidאֶלָּאexceptפְּרוּ,be fruitfulהָיָהwould beאֶחָדoneמוֹלִידbringing forthאֶחָדoneוְלֹאand notיוֹתֵר,moreוּבָאand cameוּרְבוּand multiplyשֶׁאֶחָדthat oneמוֹלִידbrings forthהַרְבֵּה:many

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וַיְהִיAnd there wasעֶרֶבeveningוַיְהִיand there wasבֹקֶרmorningיוֹםdayחֲמִישִׁי׃fifth

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodתּוֹצֵאlet bring forthהָאָרֶץthe earthנֶפֶשׁliving soulחַיָּהcreatureלְמִינָהּaccording to its kindבְּהֵמָהanimalוָרֶמֶשׂand creeping thingוְחַיְתוֹand beast ofאֶרֶץthe earthלְמִינָהּaccording to its kindוַיְהִיand it wasכֵן׃so

רַשִׁ״י

תוצאLet bring forthהארץ.the earthהוּאthatשֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּיis what I explainedשֶׁהַכֹּלthat everythingנִבְרָאwas createdמִיּוֹםfrom the dayרִאשׁוֹן,firstוְלֹאand notהֻצְרְכוּwere they neededאֶלָּאexceptלְהוֹצִיאָם:to bring them forth

רַשִׁ״י

נפשA soulחיה.livingשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהּin itחַיּוּת:vitality

רַשִׁ״י

ורמש.And creeping thingsהֵםtheyשְׁרָצִים,swarmsשֶׁהֵםthat theyנְמוּכִיםare lowוְרוֹמְשִׂיםand creepעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthוְנִרְאִיםand appearכְּאִלּוּas ifנִגְרָרִיםthey are draggedשֶׁאֵיןfor notהִלוּכָןtheir movementנִכָּר.is noticeableכָּלeveryלְשׁוֹןexpression ofרֶמֶשׂcreepingוְשֶׁרֶץand swarmingבִּלְשׁוֹנֵנוּin our languageקונמו"ברישmouvoirבלע"ז:in foreign language

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וַיַּעַשׂAnd madeאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—חַיַּתthe beast ofהָאָרֶץthe earthלְמִינָהּaccording to its kindוְאֶתand —הַבְּהֵמָהthe cattleלְמִינָהּaccording to its kindוְאֵתand —כָּלallרֶמֶשׂcreeping things ofהָאֲדָמָהthe groundלְמִינֵהוּaccording to its kindוַיַּרְאand sawאֱלֹהִיםGodכִּיthatטוֹב׃it was good

רַשִׁ״י

ויעש.And He madeתִּקְּנָםHe formed themבְּצִבְיוֹנָםwith their volitionוּבְקוֹמָתָן:and in their stature

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodנַעֲשֶׂהLet us makeאָדָםmanבְּצַלְמֵנוּin Our imageכִּדְמוּתֵנוּafter Our likenessוְיִרְדּוּand they shall ruleבִדְגַתover the fish ofהַיָּםthe seaוּבְעוֹףand over the birds ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוּבַבְּהֵמָהand over the animalsוּבְכָלand over allהָאָרֶץthe earthוּבְכָלand over everyהָרֶמֶשׂcreeping thingהָרֹמֵשׂthat creepsעַלuponהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

נעשהWe will makeאדם.manעַנְוְתָנוּתוֹthe meeknessשֶׁלofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneלָמַדְנוּwe learnedמִכָּאן,from hereלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאָדָםthat manהוּאisבִּדְמוּתin the likenessהַמַּלְאָכִיםof the angelsוְיִתְקַנְּאוּand they might envyבוֹ,himלְפִיכָךְthereforeנִמְלַךְHe consultedבָּהֶם,with themוּכְשֶׁהוּאand when Heדָןjudgesאֶת—הַמְּלָכִיםthe kingsהוּאHeנִמְלָךְconsultsבְּפָמַלְיָאwith the councilשֶׁלּוֹ,of Hisשֶׁכֵּןfor soמָצִינוּwe foundבְאַחְאָב,with Achavשֶׁאָמַרthat saidלוֹto himמִיכָהMichahרָאִיתִיI sawאֶת—ה'HashemיֹשֵׁבsittingעַלonכִּסְאוֹHis throneוְכָלand allצְבָאthe host ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensעוֹמְדִיםstandingעָלָיוby Himמִימִינוֹon His rightוּמִשְּׂמֹאלוֹand on His leftמלכיםMelachimא1כ"ב22,וְכִיand is thereיֵשindeedיָמִיןrightוּשְׂמֹאלand leftלְפָנָיו?before Himאֶלָּאratherאֵלּוּtheseמַיְמִינִיםincline to the rightלִזְכוּתfor meritוְאֵלוּand theseמַשְׂמְאִילִיםincline to the leftלְחוֹבָה,for guiltוְכֵןand likewiseבִּגְזֵרַתby the decree ofעִירִיןwatchersפִּתְגָמָאis the matterוּבְמֵאמַרand by the word ofקַדִּישִׁיןholy onesשְׁאֵלְתָאis the sentenceדניאלDanielד'4,אַףevenכָּאןhereבְּפָמַלְיָאwith the councilשֶׁלוֹof HisנָטַלHe tookרְשׁוּת,permissionאָמַרHe saidלָהֶםto themיֵשׁthere areבָּעֶלְיוֹנִיםamong the upper beingsכִּדְמוּתִי;after My likenessאִםifאֵיןthere is notכִּדְמוּתִיafter My likenessבַתַּחְתּוֹנִיםamong the lower beingsהֲרֵיbeholdיֵשׁthere isקִנְאָהenvyבְמַעֲשֵׂהin the work ofבְרֵאשִׁית:creation

רַשִׁ״י

נעשהWe will makeאדם.manאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notסִיְּעוּהוּthey assisted Himבִיצִירָתוֹin his creationוְיֵשׁand there isמָקוֹםroomלַמִּינִיםfor the hereticsלִרְדּוֹת,to rebelלֹאnotנִמְנַעdid refrainהַכָּתוּבthe verseמִלְּלַמֵּדfrom teachingדֶרֶךproperאֶרֶץconductוּמִדַּתand the trait ofעֲנָוָהhumilityשֶׁיְּהֵאthat should beהַגָּדוֹלthe greaterנִמְלָךְconsultingוְנוֹטֵלand takingרְשׁוּתpermissionמִןfromהַקָּטָן;the smallerוְאִםand ifכָּתַבit had writtenאֶעֱשֶׂהI will makeאָדָם,manלֹאnotלָמַדְנוּwe would have learnedשֶׁיְּהֵאthat He wasמְדַבֵּרspeakingעִםwithבֵּיתthe house ofדִינוֹ,His courtאֶלָּאbutעִםwithעַצְמוֹ,Himselfוּתְשׁוּבַתand the refutation ofהַמִּינִיםthe hereticsכָּתַבit wroteבְּצִדּוֹ,at its sideוַיִּבְרָאAnd He createdאֶת—הָאָדָם,the manוְלֹאand notכָתַבdid it writeוַיִּבְרְאוּ:and they created

רַשִׁ״י

בצלמנו.In our imageבִּדְפוּסin the moldשֶׁלָּנוּ:of ours

רַשִׁ״י

כדמותנו.after our likenessלְהָבִיןto understandוּלְהַשְׂכִּיל:and to comprehend

רַשִׁ״י

וירדוand they shall ruleבדגתover the fish ofהים.the seaיֵשׁthere isבַּלָּשׁוֹןin expressionהַזֶּהthisלְשׁוֹןan expression ofרִדּוּיdominionוּלְשׁוֹןand an expression ofיְרִידָה;descentזָכָה,if he meritsרוֹדֶהhe rulesבַחַיּוֹתover the beastsוּבַבְּהֵמוֹת,and over the cattleלֹאif notזָכָה,he meritsנַעֲשֶׂהhe becomesיָרוּדdegradedלִפְנֵיהֶםbefore themוְהַחַיָּהand the beastמוֹשֶׁלֶתrulesבּוֹ:over him

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַיִּבְרָאAnd He createdאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—הָאָדָםthe manבְּצַלְמוֹin His imageבְּצֶלֶםin the image ofאֱלֹהִיםGodבָּרָאHe createdאֹתוֹhimזָכָרmaleוּנְקֵבָהand femaleבָּרָאHe createdאֹתָם׃them

רַשִׁ״י

ויבראAnd He createdאלהיםGodאת—האדםthe manבצלמו.in His imageבִּדְפוּסin the moldהֶעָשׂוּיthat was madeלוֹ,for himשֶׁהַכֹּלfor everythingנִבְרָאwas createdבְּמַאֲמָרby a wordוְהוּאand heנִבְרָאwas createdבַּיָּדַיִם,with the handsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוַתָּשֶׁתand You laidעָלַיupon meכַּפֶּכָהYour handתהיליםTehillimקל"ט139;נַעֲשָׂהhe was madeבְחוֹתָםwith a sealכְּמַטְבֵּעַlike a coinהָעֲשׂוּיָהthat is madeעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofרֹשֶׁםan impressionשֶׁקּוֹרִיןthat they callקוי"ןcoinבלע"זin old Frenchוְכֵןand soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysתִּתְהַפֵּךְit is changedכְּחֹמֶרlike clayחוֹתָםof a sealאיובIyovל"ח38:

רַשִׁ״י

בצלםIn the image ofאלהיםGodבראHe createdאותו.himפֵּרֵשׁit explainsלְךָto youשֶׁאוֹתוֹthat thatצֶלֶםformהַמְתֻקָּןpreparedלוֹ,for himצֶלֶםwas the form ofדְּיוֹקַןthe image ofיוֹצְרוֹhis Creatorהוּא:it

רַשִׁ״י

זכרMaleונקבהand femaleבראHe createdאותם.themוּלְהַלָּןand further onהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysוַיִּקַּחand He tookאַחַתoneמִצַּלְעֹתָיוof his ribsוגו'etc.בראשיתGenesisב'two?מִדְרַשׁthe Midrashicאַגָּדָהexplanation isשֶׁבְּרָאוֹthat He created himשְׁנֵיwith twoפַרְצוּפִיםfacesבִּבְרִיאָהin the creationרִאשׁוֹנָה,firstוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatחֲלָקוֹ.He divided himוּפְשׁוּטוֹAnd the plain senseשֶׁלofמִקְרָא,the verse isכָּאןhereהוֹדִיעֲךָit informs youשֶׁנִּבְרְאוּthat were createdשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themבַּשִּׁשִּׁיon the sixthוְלֹאbut notפֵי'explainedלְךָto youכֵּיצַדhowבְּרִיָּתָן,their creation wasוּפֵרֵשׁand He explainedלְךָto youבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאַחֵר:another

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וַיְבָרֶךְAnd blessedאֹתָםthemאֱלֹהִיםGodוַיֹּאמֶרand saidלָהֶםto themאֱלֹהִיםGodפְּרוּbe fruitfulוּרְבוּand multiplyוּמִלְאוּand fillאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe earthוְכִבְשֻׁהָand conquer itוּרְדוּand ruleבִּדְגַתover the fish ofהַיָּםthe seaוּבְעוֹףand over the birds ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוּבְכָלand over everyחַיָּהliving thingהָרֹמֶשֶׂתthat creepsעַלuponהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

וכבשה.And subdue herחָסֵרlacksוָי"וa vavלְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youשֶׁהַזָּכָרthat the maleכּוֹבֵשׁsubduesאֶת—הַנְּקֵבָה,the femaleשֶׁלֹּאso that notתְהֵאshe will beיַצְאָנִית,a gad-aboutוְעוֹדand furthermoreלְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youשֶׁהָאִישׁthat the manשֶׁדַּרְכּוֹwhose wayלִכְבֹּשׁis to conquerמְצֻוֶּהis commandedעַלonפְּרִיָּהfructificationוּרְבִיָּהand multiplicationוְלֹאand notהָאִשָּׁה:the woman

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidאֱלֹהִיםGodהִנֵּהbeholdנָתַתִּיI have givenלָכֶםto youאֶת—כָּלeveryעֵשֶׂבherbזֹרֵעַyieldingזֶרַעseedאֲשֶׁרwhichעַלis uponפְּנֵיthe face ofכָלallהָאָרֶץthe earthוְאֶתand —כָּלeveryהָעֵץtreeאֲשֶׁרwhichבּוֹin itפְרִיis fruit ofעֵץa treeזֹרֵעַyieldingזָרַעseedלָכֶםfor youיִהְיֶהit shall beלְאָכְלָה׃for food

רַשִׁ״י

לכםfor youיהיהit shall beלאכלהfor foodולכלand to everyחיתbeast ofהארץ.the earthהִשְׁוָהHe equatedלָהֶםto themבְּהֵמוֹתdomestic animalsוְחַיּוֹתand wild beastsלְמַאֲכָל,regarding foodוְלֹאand notהִרְשָׁהdid He permitלְאָדָםto Adamוּלְאִשְׁתּוֹand to his wifeלְהָמִיתto killבְּרִיָּהa creatureוְלֶאֱכֹלand to eatבָּשָׂר,meatאַךְbutכָּלeveryיֶרֶקgreenעֵשֶׂבherbיֹאכְלוּthey shall eatיַחַדtogetherכֻּלָם,all of themוּכְשֶׁבָּאוּand when cameבְנֵיthe sons ofנֹחַNoachהִתִּירHe permittedלָהֶםto themבָּשָׂר,meatשֶׁנֶאֱמַרas it is saidכָּלeveryרֶמֶשׂmoving thingאֲשֶׁרthatהוּאitחַיlivesוְגוֹ'etc.כְּיֶרֶקlike the greenעֵשֶׂבherbשֶׁהִתַּרְתִּיthat I permittedלְאָדָםto Adamהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstנָתַתִּיI have givenלָכֶםto youאֶת—כֹּל:everything

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וּלְכָלand to allחַיַּתbeasts ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוּלְכָלand to allעוֹףbirds ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוּלְכֹלand to everythingרוֹמֵשׂthat creepsעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthאֲשֶׁרwhichבּוֹin itנֶפֶשׁhas a soul ofחַיָּהlifeאֶת—כָּלallיֶרֶקthe green ofעֵשֶׂבherbsלְאָכְלָהfor foodוַיְהִיand it wasכֵן׃so

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וַיַּרְאAnd sawאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—כָּלallאֲשֶׁרthatעָשָׂהHe had madeוְהִנֵּהand beholdטוֹבgoodמְאֹדveryוַיְהִיand there wasעֶרֶבeveningוַיְהִיand there wasבֹקֶרmorningיוֹםdayהַשִּׁשִּׁי׃the sixth

רַשִׁ״י

יוםDayהששי.the sixthהוֹסִיףHe addedה'the letter Heiבַּשִּׁשִּׁיto the sixthבִגְמַרat the completion ofמַעֲשֵׂהthe work ofבְרֵאשִׁית,Creationלוֹמַרto sayשֶׁהִתְנָהthat He stipulatedעִמָּהֶם,with themעַלonמְנָתconditionשֶׁיְּקַבְּלוּthat they acceptעֲלֵיהֶםupon themselvesיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelחֲמִשָּׁהthe fiveחֻמְּשֵׁיbooks ofתוֹרָה.TorahדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationיוֹםDayהַשִּׁשִּׁי,the sixthכֻּלָּםall of themתְּלוּיִםsuspendedוְעוֹמְדִיםand standingעַדuntilיוֹםthe day ofהַשִּׁשִּׁי,the sixthהוּאwhich isו'the sixthבְּסִיוָןof Sivanהַמּוּכָןthat was destinedלְמַתַּןfor the giving ofתּוֹרָה:Torah

פָּסוּק לב

Pasuk 32

וַיְכֻלּוּAnd were finishedהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְהָאָרֶץand the earthוְכָלand all ofצְבָאָם׃their array

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וַיְכַלAnd completedאֱלֹהִיםGodבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhמְלַאכְתּוֹHis workאֲשֶׁרwhichעָשָׂהHe had madeוַיִּשְׁבֹּתand He abstainedבַּיּוֹםon the dayהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhמִכָּלfrom allמְלַאכְתּוֹHis workאֲשֶׁרwhichעָשָׂה׃He had made

רַשִׁ״י

ויכלAnd finishedאלהיםGodביוםon the dayהשביעי.the seventhר'RabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonאוֹמֵרsaysבָּשָׂרfleshוָדָם,and bloodשֶׁאֵינוֹwho is notיוֹדֵעַknowingעִתָּיוhis timesוּרְגָעָיוand his momentsצָרִיךneedsלְהוֹסִיףto addמֵחֹלfrom weekdayעַלontoהַקֹּדֶשׁ,the holyהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneשֶׁיּוֹדֵעַwho knowsעִתָּיוHis timesוּרְגָעָיו,and His momentsנִכְנָסentersבֹּוinto itכְּחוּטlike a thread ofהַשַּׂעֲרָה,the hairוְנִרְאֶהand it appearsכְאִלּוּas ifכִלָּהHe finishedבוֹon itבַיֹּום.on the dayדָּ"אַanother explanationמֶהwhatהָיָהwasהָעוֹלָםthe worldחָסֵר?lackingמְנוּחָה,restבָּאתcameשַׁבָּתShabbosבָּאתcameמְנוּחָה,restכָּלְתָהwas finishedוְנִגְמְרָהand was completedהַמְּלָאכָה:the melacha

פָּסוּק לד

Pasuk 34

וַיְבָרֶךְAnd He blessedאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—יוֹםthe day ofהַשְּׁבִיעִיthe seventhוַיְקַדֵּשׁand He sanctifiedאֹתוֹitכִּיbecauseבוֹon itשָׁבַתHe abstainedמִכָּלfrom all ofמְלַאכְתּוֹHis melachaאֲשֶׁרwhichבָּרָאcreatedאֱלֹהִיםGodלַעֲשׂוֹת׃to make

רַשִׁ״י

ויברך,And He blessedויקדש.and He sanctifiedבֵּרְכוֹHe blessed itבַּמָּן,with the Mannaשֶׁכָּלthat allיְמוֹתthe days ofהַשָּׁבוּעַthe weekיוֹרֵדthere descendedלָהֶםfor themעֹמֶרan omerלַגֻּלְגֹּלֶת,per headוּבַשִּׁשִּׁיand on the sixthלֶחֶםbreadמִשְׁנֶה,doubleוְקִדְּשׁוֹand He sanctified itבַּמָּן,with the Mannaשֶׁלֹּאthat notיָרַדit descendedכְּלָלat allבְּשַׁבָּת,on Shabbosוְהַמִּקְרָאand the verseכָּתוּבis writtenעַלregardingהֶעָתִיד:the future

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhichבראcreatedאלהיםGodלעשות.to doהַמְּלָאכָהthe workשֶׁהָיְתָהthat wasרְאוּיָהfittingלֵעָשׂוֹתto be doneבַּשַּׁבָּת,on ShabbosכָּפַלHe doubledוַעֲשָׂאָהּand He did itבַּשִּׁשִּׁיon the sixthכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁמְּפֹרָשׁit is explainedבְּב"ר:in Bereishis Rabbah

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins with the creation of heaven and earth, starting with the creation of light and its separation from darkness on the first day. On the second day, Hashem makes the expanse to separate the upper and lower waters, and on the third day, the waters are gathered to reveal dry land, which immediately sprouts all kinds of vegetation and fruit trees. The fourth day brings the placement of the sun, moon, and stars to serve as lights and signs for seasons, followed by the fifth day's creation of fish, sea monsters, and birds. On the sixth day, Hashem creates land animals and then forms mankind in His image, blessing them to rule over the creation and giving them plants for food, before finally ceasing from all melacha on the seventh day, which Hashem blesses and sanctifies as Shabbos.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah begins with the creation of the world, where we see a constant pattern of separation: Hashem separates light from darkness, the upper waters from the lower waters, and the day from the night. The Gemara and our meforshim teach us that creation could not function as a chaotic mix; for the world to exist and thrive, there had to be clear boundaries. Every element of creation was given its specific place, its own unique purpose, and its own defined limits.

This is a profound lesson for our own daily avodas Hashem. We often live in a state of confusion, where our holy aspirations and our mundane desires are mixed together without boundaries. We let the noise of the world seep into our davening, and we let our worries distract us from our families and our learning. The very first step of building a life that is "tov", good in the eyes of Hashem, is to make a havdalah, to create clear separations and boundaries in our daily schedule.

When you set aside time for learning, make a complete separation. Put the phone in another room and close the door on the world's noise. When you stand up to daven, separate those few minutes from your business worries. By creating these holy boundaries, you are mimicking the very act of creation, bringing order out of chaos and making a vessel for Hashem's blessing.

Today, choose one specific area of your day, whether it is your morning davening, a set shiur, or dinner with your family, and make a complete separation. Turn off all distractions for those fifteen or thirty minutes, creating a dedicated, undisturbed space solely for that holy purpose.