Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn about the creation of Adam HaRishon and the beautiful world Hashem prepared for him. The Torah describes how the earth was waiting for rain because there was no human yet to work the ground and daven for it, showing us the deep connection between man and the creation. Hashem then forms Adam from the dust of the earth, blows a neshama of life into him, and places him in the beautiful Gan Eden.

We also learn about the rivers that flow out of Eden to water the world, and the special job Hashem gives to Adam to work and guard the garden. Hashem gives Adam his very first mitzvah, commanding him not to eat from the Etz HaDaas, and then declares that it is not good for man to be alone, setting the stage to create a helper for him.

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

אֵלֶּהThese areתוֹלְדוֹתthe products ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוְהָאָרֶץand the earthבְּהִבָּרְאָםwhen they were createdבְּיוֹםon the day ofעֲשׂוֹתmakingיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶרֶץearthוְשָׁמָיִם׃and heaven

רַשִׁ״י

אלה.Theseהָאֲמוּרִיםthat are mentionedלְמַעְלָה:above

רַשִׁ״י

תולדותThe generations ofהשמיםthe heavensוהארץand the earthבהבראםwhen they were createdביוםon the day ofעשותmakingה'.Hashemלִמֶּדְךָit teaches youשֶׁכֻּלָּםthat all of themנִבְרְאוּwere createdבָרִאשׁוֹן.on the firstדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationבְּהִבָּרְאָם,when they were createdבְּה'with the letter Hehבְרָאָם,He created themשֶׁנ'as it is saidבְיָהּfor in Yahה'Hashemצוּרis the Rock ofעוֹלָמִיםworldsישעיהוYeshayahuכ"ו26,בְּב'with twoאוֹתִיוֹתlettersהַלָּלוּtheseשֶׁלofהַשֵּׁםthe NameיָצַרHe formedשְׁנֵיtwoעוֹלָמִים,worldsוְלִמֶּדְךָand it teaches youכָאןhereשֶׁהָעוֹלָםthat the worldהַזֶּהthisנִבְרָאwas createdבְהֵ"א,with the letter Hehרֶמֶזa hintשֶׁיָּרְדוּthat they will descendלְמַטָּהbelowלִרְאוֹתto seeשַׁחַתthe pitכְּהֵ"אlike the letter Hehזֹאתthisשֶׁסְּתוּמָהwhich is closedמִכָּלfrom allצְדָדִיםsidesוּפְתוּחָהand openלְמַטָּהat the bottomלָרֶדֶתto descendדֶּרֶךְby way ofשָׁם:there

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וְכֹלAnd everyשִׂיחַshrub ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldטֶרֶםnot yetיִהְיֶהwasבָאָרֶץin the earthוְכָלand everyעֵשֶׂבherb ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldטֶרֶםnot yetיִצְמָחhad sproutedכִּיforלֹאnotהִמְטִירhad caused rainיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodעַלuponהָאָרֶץthe earthוְאָדָםand manאַיִןthere was noneלַעֲבֹדto tillאֶת—הָאֲדָמָה׃the ground

רַשִׁ״י

טרםNot yetיהיהwasבארץ.in the earthכָּלEveryטֶרֶםteremשֶׁבַּמִּקְרָאthat is in Scriptureלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofעַדnotלֹאyetהוּא,itוְאֵינוֹand it is notלְשׁוֹןan expression ofקֹדֶם,beforeוְאֵינוֹand it cannotנִפְעָלbe made a verbלוֹמַרto sayהִטְרִים,hitrimכַּאֲשֶׁרasיֹאמַרone would sayהִקְדִיםhikdimוְזֶהand thisמוֹכִיחַ,provesוְעוֹדand anotherאַחֵרbesidesכִּיthatטֶרֶםnot yetתִּירְאוּןdo you fearשמותShemosט9עֲדַיִןstillלֹאnotתִירְאוּן,do you fearוְאַףand evenזֶהthisתְפָרֵשׁyou must explainעֲדַיִןstillלֹאnotהָיָהwasבָאָרֶץ,in the earthכְּשֶׁנִּגְמְרָהwhen was completedבְרִיאַתthe creation ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldבַּשִּׁשִּׁיon the sixthקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁנִבְרָאthat was createdאָדָם,manוְכָלand everyעֵשֶׂבherb ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldטֶרֶםhad not yetיִצְמַח,grownעֲדַיִןstillלֹאnotצָמַח,grownוּבְג'and on the thirdשֶׁכָּתוּבwhere it is writtenתּוֹצֵאlet bring forthהָאָרֶץ,the earthלֹאthey did notיָצְאוּ,come forthאֶלָּאbutעַלatפֶּתַחthe opening ofקַרְקַעthe groundעָמְדוּthey stoodעַדuntilיוֹםthe dayשִׁשִּׁי:sixth

רַשִׁ״י

כיBecauseלאnotהמטיר.He caused rainוּמַ"טַand what is the reasonלֹאnotהִמְטִיר?He caused rainלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאָדָםthat manאַיִןwas notלַעֲבֹדto workאֶת—הָאֲדָמָה,the groundוְאֵיןand there was no oneמַכִּירrecognizingבְּטוֹבָתָםthe goodnessשֶׁלofגְּשָׁמִים,rainsוּכְשֶׁבָּאand when cameאָדָםAdamוְיָדַעand he knewשֶׁהֵםthat theyצֹרֶךְare a needלָעוֹלָם,for the worldהִתְפַּלֵּלhe prayedעֲלֵיהֶםfor themוְיָרְדוּand they descendedוְצָמְחוּand sproutedהָאִילָנוֹתthe treesוְהַדְּשָׁאִים:and the herbs

רַשִׁ״י

ה'Hashemאלהים.Elohimה'Hashemהוּאisשְׁמוֹ,His NameאֱלֹהִיםElohimשֶׁהוּאsignifies that Heשַׁלִּיטis Rulerוְשׁוֹפֵטand Judgeעַלoverכֹּל,allוְכֵןand soפֵּרוּשthe meaning ofזֶהthisבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceלְפִיaccording toפְּשׁוּטוֹ,its plain senseה'Hashemשֶׁהוּאwho isאֱלֹהִים:God

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וְאֵדand a mistיַעֲלֶהwould ascendמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe earthוְהִשְׁקָהand waterאֶת—כָּלall ofפְּנֵיthe face ofהָאֲדָמָה׃the ground

רַשִׁ״י

ואדAnd a mistיעלה.went upלְעִנְיַןregarding the matterבְּרִיאָתוֹof His creationשֶׁלofאָדָם,AdamהֶעֱלָהHe brought upהַתְּהוֹםthe deepוְהִשְׁקָהand wateredעֲנָנִיםcloudsלִשְׁרוֹתto moistenהֶעָפָרthe dustוְנִבְרָאand was createdאָדָם,manכְּגַבָּלlike a kneaderזֶה,thisשֶׁנּוֹתֵןwho puts inמַיִםwaterוְאַחַ"כַּand afterwardsלָשׁkneadsאֶת—הָעִסָּה,the doughאַףsoכָּאן,hereוְהִשְׁקָה,He wateredוְאַחַ"כַּand afterwardsוַיִּיצֶר:He formed

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיִּיצֶרAnd He formedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—הָאָדָםthe manעָפָרdustמִןfromהָאֲדָמָהthe groundוַיִּפַּחand He blewבְּאַפָּיוinto his nostrilsנִשְׁמַתthe breath ofחַיִּיםlifeוַיְהִיand he becameהָאָדָםthe manלְנֶפֶשׁa soulחַיָּה׃living

רַשִׁ״י

וייצר.And He formedשְׁתֵּיtwoיְצִירוֹת,formationsיְצִירָהa formationלָעוֹלָםfor the worldהַזֶּהthisוִיצִירָהand a formationלִתְחִיַּתfor resurrection ofהַמֵּתִים,the deadאֲבָלbutבַּבְּהֵמָהregarding the animalשֶׁאֵינָהּwhich is notעוֹמֶדֶתstandingלַדִּיןfor judgmentלֹאnotנִכְתַּבwas writtenבִּיצִירָתָהּin its formationשְׁנֵיtwoיוֹדִי"ן:yods

רַשִׁ״י

עפרdustמןfromהאדמה.the earthצָבַרHe gatheredעֲפְרוֹhis dustמִכָּלfrom all ofהָאֲדָמָהthe earthמֵאַרְבַּעfrom fourרוּחוֹת,directionsשֶׁכָּלso that anyמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁיָּמוּתthat he diesשָׁםthereתְּהֵאit willקוֹלַטְתּוֹreceive himלִקְבוּרָה.for burialדָּ"אַanother explanationנָטַלHe tookעֲפָרוֹhis dustמִמָּקוֹםfrom the placeשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat is saidבּוֹabout itמִזְבַּחan altar ofאֲדָמָהearthתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeלִּיfor MeשמותShemosכ'20,הַלְוַאיwould thatתִּהְיֶהit will beלוֹfor himכַפָּרָהan atonementוְיוּכַלand he canלַעֲמֹד:to endure

רַשִׁ״י

ויפחAnd He breathedבאפיו.into his nostrilsעֲשָׂאוֹHe made himמִןfromהַתַּחְתּוֹנִיםthe lower beingsוּמִןand fromהָעֶלְיוֹנִים,the upper beingsגוּףa bodyמִןfromהַתַּחְתּוֹנִיםthe lower beingsוּנְשָׁמָהand a soulמִןfromהָעֶלְיוֹנִים,the upper beingsלְפִיbecauseשֶׁבְּיוֹםthat on dayרִאשׁוֹןfirstנִבְרְאוּwere createdשָׁמַיִםheavenוָאָרֶץ,and earthבַּשֵּׁנִיon the secondבָּרָאHe createdרָקִיעַa firmamentלָעֶלְיוֹנִים,for the upper beingsבַּשְּׁלִישִׁיon the thirdתֵּרָאֶהlet appearהַיַּבָּשָׁהthe dry landלַתַּחְתּוֹנִים,for the lower beingsבָּרְבִיעִיon the fourthבָּרָאHe createdמְאוֹרוֹתluminariesלָעֶלְיוֹנִים,for the upper beingsבַּחֲמִישִׁיon the fifthיִשְׁרְצוּlet swarmהַמַּיִםthe watersלַתַּחְתּוֹנִים,for the lower beingsהֻזְקַקHe was neededבַּשִּׁשִּׁיon the sixthלִבְראוֹתto createבּוֹon itבָעֶלְיוֹנִיםof the upper beingsוּבַתַּחְתּוֹנִים,and of the lower beingsוְאִםand ifלָאוnotיֵשׁthere isקִנְאָהenvyבְמַעֲשֵׂהin the work ofבְרֵאשִׁית,Creationשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat would beאֵלּוּtheseרַבִּיםgreaterעַלoverאֵלּוּtheseבִּבְרִיאַתin the creation ofיוֹםdayאֶחָד:one

רַשִׁ״י

לנפשTo a soulחיה.livingאַףalsoבְּהֵמָהcattleוְחַיָּהand beastsנִקְרְאוּwere calledנֶפֶשׁsoulחַיָּה,livingאַךְbutזוֹthisשֶׁלofאָדָםmanחַיָּהis livingשֶׁבְּכֻלָּן,of all of themשֶׁנִתּוֹסֵףbecause was addedבּוֹto himדֵּעָהunderstandingוְדִבּוּר:and speech

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיִּטַּעAnd plantedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodגַּןa gardenבְעֵדֶןin Edenמִקֶּדֶםfrom the eastוַיָּשֶׂםand He placedשָׁםthereאֶת—הָאָדָםthe Humanאֲשֶׁרwhomיָצָר׃He had fashioned

רַשִׁ״י

מקדם.eastwardבְּמִזְרָחוֹin the eastשֶׁלofעֵדֶןEdenנָטַעHe plantedאֶת—הַגָּן.the gardenוְאִםand ifתֹּאמַר,you sayהֲרֵיbeholdכְבָרalreadyכָּתַבit wroteוַיִּבְרְָאand He createdאֶת—הָאָדָםthe manוְגוֹ',etc.רָאִיתִיI sawבִּבְרַיְתָאin the Baraithaשֶׁלofר"אRabbi Eliezerבְּנוֹsonשֶׁלofרַ'RabbiיוֹסֵיYoseהַגְּלִילִיthe Galileanמל"בof thirty-twoמִדּוֹתrulesשֶׁהַתּוֹרָהthat the Torahנִדְרֶשֶׁת,is expoundedוְזוֹand thisאַחַתis oneמֵהֶן,of themכְּלָלa general statementשֶׁלְּאַחֲרָיוthat after itמַעֲשֶׂהan actionהוּאitפְרָטוֹis the detailשֶׁלofרִאשׁוֹן,the firstוַיִּבְרָאand He createdאֶת—הָאָדָםthe manזֶהוּthis isכְּלָל,a general statementסָתַםit left unexplainedבְּרִיאָתוֹhis creationמֵהֵיכָןfrom whereוְסָתַםand it left unexplainedמַעֲשָׂיו,His actionsחָזַרit returnedוּפֵרֵשׁand explainedוַיִּיצֶרand He formedה'HashemאֱלֹהִיםGodוְגוֹ',etc.וַיַּצְמַחand He caused to growלוֹfor himגַּןthe garden ofעֵדֶןEdenוַיַּנִּיחֵהוּand He placed himבְּגַןin the garden ofעֵדֶןEdenוַיַּפֵּלand He caused to fallעָלָיוupon himתַּרְדֵּמָה,a deep sleepהַשּׁוֹמֵעַone who hearsסָבוּרmight thinkשֶׁהוּאthat it isמַעֲשֶׂהan accountאַחֵר,differentוְאֵינוֹbut it is notאֶלָּאexceptפְרָטוֹthe detailשֶׁלofרִאשׁוֹן;the firstוְכֵןand likewiseאֵצֶלregardingהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalחָזַרit returnedוְכָתַבand wroteוַיִּצֶרand He formedה'Hashemוגו'etc.מִןfromהָאֲדָמָהthe groundכָּלeveryחַיַּתbeast ofהַשָּׂדֶה,the fieldכְּדֵיin orderלְפָרֵשׁto explainוַיָּבֵאand He broughtאֶלtoהָאָדָםthe manלִקְרוֹתto callשֵׁםnamesוּלְלַמֵּדand to teachעַלconcerningהָעוֹפוֹתthe birdsשֶׁנִּבְרְאוּthat they were createdמִןfromהָרְקָק:the swamp

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיַּצְמַחAnd He caused to growיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodמִןfromהָאֲדָמָהthe groundכָּלeveryעֵץtreeנֶחְמָדpleasantלְמַרְאֶהto the sightוְטוֹבand goodלְמַאֲכָלfor foodוְעֵץand the tree ofהַחַיִּיםlifeבְּתוֹךְin the midst ofהַגָּןthe gardenוְעֵץand the tree ofהַדַּעַתknowledge ofטוֹבgoodוָרָע׃and evil

רַשִׁ״י

ויצמח.And He caused to growלְעִנְיַןwith reference toהַגַּןthe gardenהַכָּתוּבthe verseמְדַבֵּר:speaks

רַשִׁ״י

בתוךIn the midst ofהגן.the gardenבָּאֶמְצַע:in the center

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְנָהָרּAnd a riverיֹצֵאgoes outמֵעֵדֶןfrom Edenלְהַשְׁקוֹתto waterאֶת—הַגָּןthe gardenוּמִשָּׁםand from thereיִפָּרֵדit dividesוְהָיָהand becomesלְאַרְבָּעָהinto fourרָאשִׁים׃branches

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

שֵׁםThe name ofהָאֶחָדthe firstפִּישׁוֹןPishonהוּאit isהַסֹּבֵבthe one surroundingאֵת—כָּלall ofאֶרֶץthe land ofהַחֲוִילָהHavilahאֲשֶׁרwhereשָׁםthere isהַזָּהָב׃the gold

רַשִׁ״י

פישון.Pishonהוּאit isנִילוּסthe Nileנְהַרthe river ofמִצְרַיִם,Mitzrayimוְעַלand onשֵׁםaccount ofשֶׁמֵּימָיוthat its watersמִתְבָּרְכִיןare blessedוְעוֹלִיןand riseוּמַשְׁקִיןand waterאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landנִקְרָאit is calledפִישׁוֹןPishonכְּמוֹlikeוּפָשׁוּand increasedפָּרָשָׁיוtheir horsemenחבקוקChavakukא'chapter 1דָּ"אַanother explanationפִּישׁוֹן,Pishonשֶׁהוּאbecause itמְגַדֵּלgrowsפִּשְׁתָּן,flaxשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidעַלconcerningמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimישעיהוYeshayahuי"טchapter 19וּבֹשׁוּand they shall be ashamedעֹבְדֵיthey that workפִשְׁתִּים:flax

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וּזֲהַבand the gold ofהָאָרֶץthe landהַהִואthatטוֹבis goodשָׁםthereהַבְּדֹלַחis the bdelliumוְאֶבֶןand the stone ofהַשֹּׁהַם׃the shoham

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וְשֵׁםAnd the name ofהַנָּהָרthe riverהַשֵּׁנִיthe secondגִּיחוֹןGihonהוּאit isהַסּוֹבֵבthe one that surroundsאֵת—כָּלall ofאֶרֶץthe land ofכּוּשׁ׃Cush

רַשִׁ״י

גיחון.Gichonשֶׁהָיָהthat it wasהוֹלֵךְgoingוְהוֹמֶה,and roaringוְהֶמְיָתוֹand its roarגְדוֹלָהis greatמְאֹד,veryכְּמוֹlikeכִיifיִגַּחit goresשמותShemosכ"א21,שֶׁמְּנַגֵּחַthat it goresוְהוֹלֵךְand goesוְהוֹמֶה:and roars

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְשֵׁםAnd the name ofהַנָּהָרthe riverהַשְּׁלִישִׁיthe thirdחִדֶּקֶלChidekelהוּאitהַהֹלֵךְflowsקִדְמַתeast ofאַשּׁוּרAshurוְהַנָּהָרand the riverהָרְבִיעִיthe fourthהוּאisפְרָת׃Peras

רַשִׁ״י

חדקל.Chidekelשֶׁמֵּימָיוbecause its watersחַדִּיןare sharpוְקַלִּין:and light

רַשִׁ״י

פרת.Euphratesשֶׁמֵּימָיוbecause its watersפָּרִיןare fruitfulוְרָבִיןand multiplyוְמַבְרִיןand make healthyאֶת—הָאָדָם:manכושCushואשור.and Ashurעֲדַיִןstillלֹאnotהָיוּ,wereוְכָתַבand wroteהַמִּקְרָאthe Scriptureעַלbyשֵׁםname ofהֶעָתִיד:the future

רַשִׁ״י

קדמתEast ofאשור.Ashurלְמִזְרָחָהּto the eastשֶׁלofאַשּׁוּר:Ashur

רַשִׁ״י

הואItפרת.is Euphratesהֶחָשׁוּבthe most importantעַלoverכֻּלָּם,all of themהַנִּזְכָּרwhich is mentionedעַלin connection withשֵׁםthe name ofא"י:Eretz Yisrael

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—הָאָדָםthe manוַיַּנִּחֵהוּand He placed himבְגַןin the garden ofעֵדֶןEdenלְעָבְדָהּto till itוּלְשָׁמְרָהּ׃and to guard it

רַשִׁ״י

ויקח.And he tookלְקָחוֹhe took himבִדְבָרִיםwith wordsנָאִיםpleasantוּפִתָּהוּand persuaded himלִכָּנֵסto enterבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיְצַוAnd commandedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodעַלuponהָאָדָםthe manלֵאמֹרsayingמִכֹּלfrom everyעֵץtree ofהַגָּןthe gardenאָכֹלsurelyתֹּאכֵל׃you shall eat

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וּמֵעֵץand from the tree ofהַדַּעַתthe knowledge ofטוֹבgoodוָרָעand badלֹאyou shall notתֹאכַלeatמִמֶּנּוּfrom itכִּיforבְּיוֹםon the day ofאֲכָלְךָyour eatingמִמֶּנּוּfrom itמוֹתsurelyתָּמוּת׃you shall die

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodלֹאnotטוֹבgoodהֱיוֹתthe being ofהָאָדָםthe manלְבַדּוֹby himselfאֶעֱשֶׂהּI will makeלּוֹfor himעֵזֶרa helperכְּנֶגְדּוֹ׃corresponding to him

רַשִׁ״י

לאNotטובgoodהיותthe being ofוגו'.etc.שֶׁלֹּאso that notיֹאמְרוּthey will sayשְׁתֵּיtwoרָשׁוּיוֹתauthoritiesהֵן,there areהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heיָחִידis uniqueבָעֶלְיוֹנִיםamong the celestial beingsוְאֵיןand there is notלוֹto Himזוּג,a mateוְזֶהand this oneיָחִידis uniqueבַתַּחְתּוֹנִיםamong the terrestrial beingsוְאֵיןand there is notלוֹto himזוּגa mateבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

עזרa helpכנגדו.opposite himזָכָהif he is worthy–עֵזֶר;a helpלֹאif notזָכָהhe is worthy–כְּנֶגְדּוֹopposed to himלְהִלָּחֵם:to fight

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיִּצֶרAnd He formedיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodמִןfromהָאֲדָמָהthe groundכָּלeveryחַיַּתbeast ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldוְאֵתand —כָּלeveryעוֹףbird ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוַיָּבֵאand He broughtאֶלtoהָאָדָםthe manלִרְאוֹתto seeמַהwhatיִּקְרָאhe would callלוֹitוְכֹלand whateverאֲשֶׁרthatיִקְרָאwould callלוֹitהָאָדָםthe manנֶפֶשׁas a soulחַיָּהlivingהוּאthat wasשְׁמוֹ׃its name

רַשִׁ״י

וייצרAnd He formedמןfromהאדמה.the groundהִיאthisיְצִירָהformationהִיאisעֲשִׂיָּהthe makingהָאֲמוּרָהthat was mentionedלְמַעְלָהaboveוַיַּעַשׂAnd He madeאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—חַיַּתthe beast ofהָאָרֶץthe earthוְגוֹ',etc.אֶלָּאratherבָאit comesוּפֵרֵשׁand explainsשֶׁהָעוֹפוֹתthat the birdsנִבְרְאוּwere createdמִןfromהָרְקָק,the swampלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאָמַרthat it saidלְמַעְלָהaboveמִןfromהַמַּיִּםthe waterנִבְרְאוּthey were createdוְכָאןand hereאָמַרit saidמִןfromהָאָרֶץthe earthנִבְרְאוּthey were createdחוליןChullinכ"ז27,וְעוֹדAnd furthermoreלִמֶּדְךָit teaches youכָּאןhereשֶׁבִּשְׁעַתthat at the time ofיְצִירָתָןtheir creationמִיָּדimmediatelyבּוֹon thatבַיּוֹםdayהֱבִיאָםHe brought themאֶלtoהָאָדָםthe manלִקְרוֹתto callלָהֶםfor themשֵׁם.a nameוּבְדִבְרֵיAnd in the words ofאַגָּדָהAggadahיְצִירָהformationזוֹthisלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofרִדּוּיsubjugationוְכִבּוּשׁ,and conqueringכְּמוֹlikeכִּיwhenתָצוּרyou besiegeאֶל·עִירa cityדבריםDevarimכ"ד24,שֶׁכְּבָשָׁןfor He conquered themתַּחַתunderיָדוֹthe handשֶׁלofאָדָםAdamבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

וכלAnd allאשרthatיקראwould callלוto itהאדםthe manנפשa soulחיהlivingוגו'.etc.סָרְסֵהוּinvert itוּפָרְשֵׁהוּ,and explain itכֹּלeveryנֶפֶשׁsoulחַיָּהlivingאֲשֶׁרthatיִקְרָאwould callלוֹto itהָאָדָםthe manשֵׁם,a nameהוּאthatשְׁמוֹis its nameלְעוֹלָם:forever

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah begins by describing how the plants and grass did not grow until Adam was created and prayed for rain, after which Hashem formed Adam from the ground and breathed life into him. Hashem then planted Gan Eden with beautiful fruit trees, including the Etz HaChaim and the Etz HaDaas, watered by a great river that splits into four major rivers. After placing Adam in the garden to care for it, Hashem commanded him not to eat from the Etz HaDaas under penalty of death, and then brought all the animals and birds to Adam to be named, recognizing that it was not good for man to remain alone without a fitting helper.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

In the second pasuk of our Aliyah, the Torah is mechadesh a beautiful and fundamental yesod in our avodas Hashem. The Torah tells us that even though the plants were already created, they remained hidden just beneath the surface of the ground and did not sprout. Why? Because "there was no man to work the soil." Rashi explains this with a famous and powerful chiddush: there was no rain because there was no human being to recognize the goodness of rain and pray for it. As soon as Adam was created, he realized the world needed rain, he davened for it, and only then did the rain fall and the trees sprout.

Look at what the Torah is teaching us here. Hashem had already willed the entire creation into existence. The potential for growth, blessing, and abundance was already there, waiting just under the dirt. Yet, Hashem held it all back. Why? Because Hashem desires our tefillos. He wants us to recognize our dependency on Him, to open our mouths, and to ask. The entire creation stood in suspense, waiting for a single Yid to realize what was missing and daven.

This is a massive lesson for us in our daily lives. Sometimes we look around and feel like things are stuck. We are waiting for parnassah, for shidduchim, for yeshuos, or for growth in our learning and yiras Shamayim. We might think Hashem has forgotten us, chas v'shalom. But the truth is, the shefa is already there, waiting just beneath the surface. Hashem is simply waiting for us to recognize that He is the source of everything, to turn to Him with a soft heart, and to daven.

Today, when you daven Shemoneh Esrei, do not just run through the words out of habit. Stop for one moment before a brachah that speaks to your personal needs, realize that Hashem is waiting for your davening to unleash His shefa, and ask Him for it with real kavanah.