Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn about the creation of Chavah and the very first marriage in history. After Adam names all the animals and finds no suitable partner among them, Hashem brings a deep sleep upon him, takes one of his sides, and fashions the first woman. Adam recognizes her as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh, establishing the eternal bond of marriage where a man leaves his parents to cling to his wife and become one flesh.

Lichoira, everything is set for a beautiful life in Gan Eden, but then the serpent enters the picture. The serpent uses sly arguments to entice Chavah into eating from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, and she in turn gives some of the fruit to Adam. This leads to an immediate loss of their pristine state, forcing them to hide from Hashem in shame as they realize they are naked.

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

וַיִּקְרָאAnd he calledהָאָדָםthe manשֵׁמוֹתnamesלְכָלto allהַבְּהֵמָהthe cattleוּלְעוֹףand to the bird ofהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavensוּלְכֹלand to allחַיַּתthe beast ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldוּלְאָדָםbut for Adamלֹאnotמָצָאhe foundעֵזֶרa helperכְּנֶגְדּוֹ׃corresponding to him

רַשִׁ״י

ולאדםand for the manלאnotמצאHe foundעזר.a helperויפלand He caused to fallה'HashemאלהיםElokimתרדמה.a deep sleepכְּשֶׁהֱבִיאָןwhen He brought themהֱבִיאָןHe brought themלְפָנָיוbefore himכָּלeveryמִיןkindוָמִיןand kindזָכָרmaleוּנְקֵבָה,and femaleאָמַרhe saidלְכֻלָּםto all of themיֵשׁthere isבֶּןa mateזוּג·וְלִיand for meאֵיןthere is noבֶּןmateזוּג,·מִיָּדimmediatelyוַיַּפֵּלand He caused to fallבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיַּפֵּלAnd He castיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodתַּרְדֵּמָהa deep sleepעַלuponהָאָדָםthe manוַיִּישָׁןand he sleptוַיִּקַּחand He tookאַחַתoneמִצַּלְעֹתָיוof his sidesוַיִּסְגֹּרand He closedבָּשָׂרfleshתַּחְתֶּנָּה׃underneath it

רַשִׁ״י

מצלעותיו.from his ribsמִסְּטָרָיו,from his sidesכְּמוֹsimilar toוּלְצֶלַעand for the side ofהַמִּשְׁכָּןthe TabernacleשמותShemosכ"ו26,זֶהוּthis isשֶׁאָמְרוּthat they saidשְׁנֵיtwoפַרְצוּפִיםfacesנִבְרְאוּthey were createdעירוביןEruvinי"ז18:

רַשִׁ״י

ויסגור.and he closedמְקוֹםthe place ofהַחֲתָךְ:the cut

רַשִׁ״י

ויישןand he sleptויקח.and he tookשֶׁלֹּאso that notיִרְאֶהhe should seeחֲתִיכַתthe piece ofהַבָּשָׂרthe fleshשֶׁמִּמֶּנוּfrom whichנִבְרֵאתshe was createdוְתִתְבַּזֶּהand she be despisedעָלָיו:upon him

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיִּבֶןAnd He builtיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶת—הַצֵּלָעthe ribאֲשֶׁרwhichלָקַחHe tookמִןfromהָאָדָםthe manלְאִשָּׁהinto a womanוַיְבִאֶהָand He brought herאֶלtoהָאָדָם׃the man

רַשִׁ״י

ויבן.And He builtכְּבִִנְיָן,like a structureרְחָבָהwideמִלְּמַטָּהfrom belowוּקְצָרָהand narrowמִלְּמַעְלָהfrom aboveלְקַבֵּלto receiveהַוָּלָדthe childכְּאוֹצָרlike a storehouseשֶׁלofחִטִּים,wheatשֶׁהוּאwhich isרָחָבwideמִלְּמַטָהfrom belowוְקָצָרand narrowמִלְּמַעְלָהfrom aboveשֶׁלֹּאso that notיַכְבִּידwill weigh heavilyמַשָּׂאוֹits burdenעַלuponקִירוֹתָיו:its walls

רַשִׁ״י

ויבןAnd He builtאת—הצלעthe ribלאשה.into a womanלִהְיוֹתto becomeאִשָּׁה,a womanכְּמוֹlikeוַיַּעַשׂand he madeאוֹתוֹitגִדְעוֹןGidonלְאֵפוֹדinto an ephodשופטיםShoftimח'8,לִהְיוֹתto becomeאֵפוֹד:an ephod

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidהָאָדָםthe manזֹאתthisהַפַּעַםthe timeעֶצֶםboneמֵעֲצָמַיof my bonesוּבָשָׂרand fleshמִבְּשָׂרִיof my fleshלְזֹאתfor thisיִקָּרֵאshall be calledאִשָּׁהWomanכִּיbecauseמֵאִישׁfrom manלֻקֳחָהwas takenזֹּאת׃this

רַשִׁ״י

זאתThisהפעם.timeמְלַמֵּדteachesשֶׁבָּאthat cameאָדָםAdamעַלuponכָּלeveryבְּהֵמָהdomestic animalוְחַיָּה,and wild beastוְלֹאand notנִתְקָרְרָהwas cooledדַעְתּוֹhis mindבָּהֶםby themיבמותYevamotס"ג63:

רַשִׁ״י

לזאתFor thisיקראshall be calledאשהWomanכיbecauseמאישfrom Manוגו'.etc.לָשׁוֹןA languageנוֹפֵלfallsעַלuponלָשׁוֹןa languageמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁנִּבְרָאthat was createdהָעוֹלָםthe worldבִּלְשׁוֹןin the tongue ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe HolinessבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

עַלThereforeכֵּןthusיַעֲזָבshall leaveאִישׁa manאֶת—אָבִיוhis fatherוְאֶתand —אִמּוֹhis motherוְדָבַקand he shall clingבְּאִשְׁתּוֹto his wifeוְהָיוּand they shall beלְבָשָׂרone fleshאֶחָד׃one

רַשִׁ״י

עלThereforeכן·יעזבleavesאיש.a manרוּחַthe Spiritהַקֹּדֶשׁof Holinessאוֹמְרָהsaysכֵןthisלֶאֱסֹרto forbidעַלuponבְּנֵיthe sons ofנֹחַNoachהָעֲרָיוֹתforbidden relationshipsסנהדריןSanhedrinנ"ז57b:

רַשִׁ״י

לבשרinto fleshאחד.oneהַוָּלָדthe childנוֹצָרis formedעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themוְשָׁםand thereנַעֲשֶׁהbecomesבְשָׂרָםtheir fleshאֶחָדoneשםthereנ"חNoach:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיִּהְיוּAnd they wereשְׁנֵיהֶםthe two of themעֲרוּמִּיםnakedהָאָדָםthe manוְאִשְׁתּוֹand his wifeוְלֹאand notיִתְבֹּשָׁשׁוּ׃were they ashamed

רַשִׁ״י

ולאAnd they were notיתבוששו.ashamedשֶׁלֹּאfor they did notהָיוּwereיוֹדְעִיםknowingדֶרֶךְthe way ofצְנִיעוּתmodestyלְהַבְחִיןto distinguishבֵּיןbetweenטוֹבgoodלָרָע,and evilוְאַעַ"פִּand even thoughשֶׁנִּתְּנָהthat was givenבוֹin himדֵּעָהknowledgeלִקְרוֹתto callלוֹfor himשֵׁמוֹת,namesלֹאnotנִתַּןwas placedבּוֹin himיֵצֶרthe inclinationהָרָעevilעַדuntilאָכְלוֹhis eatingמִןfromהָעֵץthe treeוְנִכְנַסand enteredבּוֹinto himיֵצֶרthe inclinationהָרָעevilוְיָדַעand he knewמַהwhat isבֵּיןbetweenטוֹבgoodלָרָעand evilבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְהַנָּחָשׁAnd the serpentהָיָהwasעָרוּםshrewdמִכֹּלmore than allחַיַּתthe beasts ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldאֲשֶׁרthatעָשָׂהhad madeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאֶלtoהָאִשָּׁהthe womanאַףevenכִּיthoughאָמַרsaidאֱלֹהִיםGodלֹאnotתֹאכְלוּyou shall eatמִכֹּלfrom anyעֵץtree ofהַגָּן׃the garden

רַשִׁ״י

והנחשAnd the serpentהיהwasערום.cunningמָהwhatעִנְיָןconnectionזֶהthisלְכָאן?to hereהָיָהit wasלוֹfor itלִסְמֹךְto juxtaposeוַיַּעַשׂand He madeלְאָדָםfor Adamוּלְאִשְׁתּוֹand for his wifeכָּתְנוֹתgarments ofעוֹרskinוַיַּלְבִּשֵׁם,and He clothed themאֶלָּאratherלִמֶּדְךָit teaches youמֵאֵיזוֹfrom whatעֵצָהschemeקָפַץpouncedהַנָּחַשׁthe serpentעֲלֵיהֶם,upon themרָאָהhe sawאוֹתָםthemעֲרֻמִּיםnakedוְעוֹסְקִיםand engagingבְּתַשְׁמִישׁin marital relationsלְעֵיןin sight ofכֹּלallוְנִתְאַוָּהand he covetedלָהּ:her

רַשִׁ״י

ערוםsubtleמכל.than allלְפִיaccording toעָרְמָתוֹhis subtlenessוּגְדֻלָּתוֹand his greatnessהָיְתָהwasמַפָּלָתוֹ,his downfallעָרוּםsubtleמִכֹּל,than allאָרוּרcursedמִכֹּלthan allבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

אףEvenכיthoughאמרsaidוגו'.etc.שֶׁמָּאperhapsאָמַרHe saidלָכֶםto youלֹאnotתֹאכְלוּshall you eatמִכֹּלfrom allוְגוֹ',etc.וְאַעַ"פִּand even thoughשֶׁרָאָהthat he sawאוֹתָםthemאוֹכְלִיםeatingמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofפֵּרוֹת,fruitsהִרְבָּהhe increasedעָלֶיהָupon herדְבָרִיםwordsכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁתְּשִׁיבֶנּוּthat she answer himוְיָבֹאand he comeלְדַבֵּרto speakבְּאוֹתוֹabout thatהָעֵץ:tree

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַתֹּאמֶרAnd saidהָאִשָּׁהthe womanאֶלtoהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentמִפְּרִיfrom the fruit ofעֵץthe trees ofהַגָּןthe gardenנֹאכֵל׃we may eat

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וּמִפְּרִיand from the fruit ofהָעֵץthe treeאֲשֶׁרwhichבְּתוֹךְis in the midst ofהַגָּןthe gardenאָמַרsaidאֱלֹהִיםGodלֹאnotתֹאכְלוּshall you eatמִמֶּנּוּfrom itוְלֹאand notתִגְּעוּshall you touchבּוֹitפֶּןlestתְּמֻתוּן׃you die

רַשִׁ״י

ולאand notתגעוshall you touchבו.itהוֹסִיפָהshe addedעַלuponהַצִּוּוּי,the commandלְפִיכָךְthereforeבָּאָהshe cameלִידֵיto the hands ofגֵרָעוֹן,diminishmentהוּאit isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרthat which is saidאַלdo notתּוֹסְףְּaddעַלuponדְּבָרָיוHis wordsמשליMishleiל'chapter 30:

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentאֶלtoהָאִשָּׁהthe womanלֹאNotמוֹתsurelyתְּמֻתוּן׃will you die

רַשִׁ״י

לאnotמותsurelyתמותון.will you dieדְּחָפָהּhe pushed herעַדuntilשֶׁנָּגְעָהshe touchedבוֹ,itאָמַרhe saidלָהּto herכְּשֵׁםjust asשֶׁאֵיןthere is noמִיתָהdeathבִנְגִיעָה,in touchingכָּךְsoאֵיןthere is noמִיתָהdeathבַאֲכִילָהin eatingבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

כִּיforיֹדֵעַknowsאֱלֹהִיםG-dכִּיthatבְּיוֹםon the day ofאֲכָלְכֶםyour eatingמִמֶּנּוּfrom itוְנִפְקְחוּand will be openedעֵינֵיכֶםyour eyesוִהְיִיתֶםand you will beכֵּאלֹהִיםlike G-dיֹדְעֵיknowers ofטוֹבgoodוָרָע׃and bad

רַשִׁ״י

כיForידע.knowsכָּלeveryאֻמָּןartisanשׂוֹנֵאhatesאֶת—בְּנֵיthe members ofאֻמָּנוּתוֹ,his craftמִןfromהָעֵץthe treeאָכַלHe ateוּבָרָאand createdאֶת—הָעוֹלָםthe worldבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

והייתםand you will beכאלהים.like Godיוֹצְרֵיcreators ofעוֹלָמוֹתworldsבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַתֵּרֶאAnd sawהָאִשָּׁהthe womanכִּיthatטוֹבgoodהָעֵץthe treeלְמַאֲכָלfor foodוְכִיand thatתַאֲוָהa desireהוּאitלָעֵינַיִםto the eyesוְנֶחְמָדand desirableהָעֵץthe treeלְהַשְׂכִּילto make wiseוַתִּקַּחand she tookמִפִּרְיוֹof its fruitוַתֹּאכַלand she ateוַתִּתֵּןand she gaveגַּםalsoלְאִישָׁהּto her husbandעִמָּהּwith herוַיֹּאכַל׃and he ate

רַשִׁ״י

ותראAnd she sawהאשה.the womanרָאֲתָהshe sawדְבָרָיוthe words ofשֶׁל·נָחָשׁthe serpentוְהֶנְאוּand they pleasedלָהּherוְהֶאֱמִינַתּוּand she believed himבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

כיthatטובgood wasהעץ.the treeלִהְיוֹתto becomeכֵּאלֹהִים:like God

רַשִׁ״י

וכיand thatתאוהa delightהואit wasלעינים.to the eyesכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאָמַרthat he saidלָהּto herוְנִפְקְחוּand shall be openedעֵינֵיכֶם:your eyes

רַשִׁ״י

ונחמדand desirableלהשכיל.to make wiseכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאָמַרthat he saidלָהּto herיוֹדְעֵיknowers ofטוֹבgoodוָרָע:and evil

רַשִׁ״י

ותתןAnd she gaveגםalsoלאישה.to her husbandשֶׁלֹּאso that notתָמוּתwill dieהִיאsheוְיִחְיֶהand will liveהוּא,heוְיִשָּׂאand marryאַחֶרֶת:another

רַשִׁ״י

גם.Alsoלְרַבּוֹתto includeבְּהֵמָהdomesticated animalוְחַיָּה:and wild animal

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַתִּפָּקַחְנָהAnd were openedעֵינֵיthe eyes ofשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themוַיֵּדְעוּand they knewכִּיthatעֵירֻמִּםnakedהֵםthey wereוַיִּתְפְּרוּand they sewedעֲלֵהleaves ofתְאֵנָהa fig treeוַיַּעֲשׂוּand they madeלָהֶםfor themselvesחֲגֹרֹת׃aprons

רַשִׁ״י

ותפקחנהAnd were openedוגו'.etc.לְעִנְיַןregarding the matter ofהַחָכְמָהwisdomדִּבֵּרspokeהַכָּתוּבthe verseוְלֹאand notלְעִנְיַןregarding the matter ofרְאִיָּהseeingמַמָּשׁ,literallyוְסוֹףand the end ofהַמִּקְרָאthe verseמוֹכִיחַ:proves

רַשִׁ״י

וידעוAnd they knewכיthatעירמיםnakedהם.they wereאַףEvenהַסּוּמָאa blind personיוֹדֵעַknowsכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen he isעָרוּם,nakedאֶלָּאratherמַהוּwhat isוַיֵּדְעוּand they knewכִּיthatעֵירֻמִּםnakedהֵם?they wereמִצְוָהcommandmentאַחַתoneהָיְתָהwasבְיָדָםin their handוְנִתְעַרְטְלוּand they strippedהֵימֶנָּהfrom itבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

עלהA leaf ofתאנה.a figהוּאitהָעֵץwas the treeשֶׁאָכְלוּthat they ateמִמֶּנּוּ,from itבַּדָּבָרwith the thingשֶׁנִּתְקַלְקְלוּthat they were ruinedבּוֹby itנִתַּקְּנוּthey were repairedסנהדריןSanhedrinע'70b,אֲבָלbutשְׁאָרthe rest ofהָעֵצִיםthe treesמְנָעוּםprevented themמִלִּטֹּלfrom takingעַלֵּיהֶם.their leavesוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofמָהwhatלֹאwas notנִתְפַּרְסֵםpublicizedהָעֵץ?the treeשֶׁאֵיןbecause notהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneחָפֵץdesiresלְהוֹנוֹתto grieveבְּרִיָּה,a creatureשֶׁלֹּאso that notיַכְלִימוּהָthey should shame itוְיֹאמְרוּand sayזֶהוּthis isשֶׁלָּקָהthrough which sufferedהָעוֹלָםthe worldעַלbyיָדוֹ,its handמִדְרַשׁthe Midrash ofרַבִּיRabbiתַנְחוּמָא:Tanchuma

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיִּשְׁמְעוּAnd they heardאֶת—קוֹלthe sound ofיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodמִתְהַלֵּךְmoving aboutבַּגָּןin the gardenלְרוּחַat the breeze ofהַיּוֹםthe dayוַיִּתְחַבֵּאand hidהָאָדָםthe manוְאִשְׁתּוֹand his wifeמִפְּנֵיfrom beforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodבְּתוֹךְamongעֵץthe trees ofהַגָּן׃the garden

רַשִׁ״י

וישמעו.And they heardיֵשׁthere areמִדְרְשֵׁיMidrashic explanations ofאַגָּדָהAggadahרַבִּיםmanyוּכְבָרand alreadyסִדְּרוּםarranged themרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisעַלuponמְכוֹנָםtheir placeבִּבְ"רַin Bereishis Rabbahוּבִשְׁאָרand in otherמִדְרָשׁוֹת;Midrashimוַאֲנִיand Iלֹאnotבָאתִיcameאֶלָּאexceptלִפְשׁוּטוֹfor the plain senseשֶׁלofמִקְרָאScriptureוּלְאַגָּדָהand for Aggadahהַמְיַשֶּׁבֶתthat settlesדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהַמִּקְרָאthe Scriptureדָבָרa matterדָּבוּרspokenעַלuponאׇפְנָיו:its fit stateוישמעו.And they heardמַהwhatשָּׁמְעוּ?did they hearשָׁמְעוּthey heardאֶת—קוֹלthe sound ofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneשֶׁהָיָהwho wasמִתְהַלֵּךְwalkingבַּגַּן:in the garden

רַשִׁ״י

לרוחIn the directionהיום.of the dayלְאוֹתוֹto thatרוּחַdirectionשֶׁהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthat the sunבָּאָהcomesלְשָׁם,to thereוְזוֹand thisהִיאisמַעֲרָבִית;the westשֶׁלִּפְנוֹתfor towardsעֶרֶבeveningחַמָּהthe sun isבַּמַּעֲרָב,in the westוְהֵםand theyסָרְחוּsinnedבָּעֲשִׂירִיתin the tenthסנהדריןSanhedrinל"ח38:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoהָאָדָםthe manוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidלוֹto himאַיֶּכָּה׃where are you

רַשִׁ״י

איכה.Where art thouיוֹדֵעַknowingהָיָהHe wasהֵיכָןwhereהוּאheאֶלָּאbutלִכָּנֵסto enterעִמּוֹwith himבִּדְבָרִים,into wordsשֶׁלֹּאso that notיְהֵאhe would beנִבְהָלterrifiedלְהָשִׁיבto replyאִםifיַעֲנִישֵׁהוּHe would punish himפִּתְאוֹםsuddenlyבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah,וְכֵןand soבְּקַיִןwith KayinאָמַרHe saidלוֹto himאֵיwhere isהֶבֶלHevelאָחִיךָyour brotherבראשיתBereishisדfour,וְכֵןand soבְּבִלְעָםwith Bilamמִיwho areהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menהָאֵלֶּהtheseעִמָּךְwith youבמדברBamidbarכ"בtwenty-two,לִכָּנֵסto enterעִמָּהֶםwith themבִּדְבָרִים,into wordsוְכֵןand soבְּחִזְקִיָּהwith Chizkiyahuבִּשְׁלוּחֵיwith the messengers ofמְרֹאדַךְMerodachבַּלְאֲדָן:Baladan

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאֶת—קֹלְךָYour voiceשָׁמַעְתִּיI heardבַּגָּןin the gardenוָאִירָאand I fearedכִּיbecauseעֵירֹםnakedאָנֹכִיam Iוָאֵחָבֵא׃and I hid

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidמִיwhoהִגִּידtoldלְךָto youכִּיthatעֵירֹםnakedאָתָּהare youהֲמִןIs it fromהָעֵץthe treeאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוִּיתִיךָI commanded youלְבִלְתִּיnotאֲכָלto eatמִמֶּנּוּfrom itאָכָלְתָּ׃have you eaten

רַשִׁ״י

מיWhoהגידtoldלך.theeמֵאַיִןfrom whereלְךָto youלָדַעַתto knowמַהwhatבֹּשֶׁתshameיֵשׁthere isבְּעוֹמֵדin standingעָרֹם?naked

רַשִׁ״י

המןIs it fromהעץ.the treeבִּתְמִיהָ:in wonderment

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidהָאָדָםthe manהָאִשָּׁהthe womanאֲשֶׁרwhomנָתַתָּהYou gaveעִמָּדִיwith meהִואsheנָתְנָהgaveלִּיto meמִןfromהָעֵץthe treeוָאֹכֵל׃and I ate

רַשִׁ״י

אשרwhomנתתהYou gaveעמדי.with meכָּאןhereכָּפַרhe deniedבַּטּוֹבָהthe goodnessעבודהAvodahזרהZarahה5b:

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodלָאִשָּׁהto the womanמַהwhatזֹּאתis thisעָשִׂיתyou have doneוַתֹּאמֶרand saidהָאִשָּׁהthe womanהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentהִשִּׁיאַנִיdeceived meוָאֹכֵל׃and I ate

רַשִׁ״י

השיאני.He deceived meהִטְעַנִי,he misled meכְּמוֹlikeאַלlet notיַשִּׁיאbeguileאֶתְכֶםyouחִזְקִיָּהוּChizkiyahuדבריChroniclesהימים·ב'IIל"ב32:

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidיְהֹוָהHashemאֱלֹהִיםGodאֶלtoהַנָּחָשׁthe serpentכִּיbecauseעָשִׂיתָyou didזֹּאתthisאָרוּרcursedאַתָּהare youמִכָּלfrom allהַבְּהֵמָהthe cattleוּמִכֹּלand from allחַיַּתthe beasts ofהַשָּׂדֶהthe fieldעַלuponגְּחֹנְךָyour bellyתֵלֵךְyou shall goוְעָפָרand dustתֹּאכַלyou shall eatכָּלallיְמֵיthe days ofחַיֶּיךָ׃your life

רַשִׁ״י

כיBecauseעשיתyou have doneזאת.thisמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁאֵיןthat we do notמְהַפְּכִיםturn overבִּזְכוּתוֹfor the meritשֶׁלofמֵסִית,an enticerשֶׁאִלּוּfor ifשְׁאָלוֹHe had asked himלָמָּהwhyעָשִׂיתָdid you doזֹאת?thisהָיָהthere wasלוֹto himלְהָשִׁיבto answerדִּבְרֵיthe words ofהָרַבthe Masterוְדִבְרֵיand the words ofהַתַּלְמִידthe discipleדִּבְרֵיthe words ofמִיwhomשׁוֹמְעִין?does one obeyסנהדריןSanhedrinכ"ט29a:

רַשִׁ״י

מכלFrom allהבהמהthe cattleומכלand from allחיתthe beasts ofהשדה.the fieldאִםifמִבְּהֵמָהmore than cattleנִתְקַלֵּלit was cursedמֵחַיָּהmore than beastsלֹאnotכָּלallשֶׁכֵּן,the more soהֶעֱמִידוּestablishedרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisמִדְרָשׁexpositionזֶהthisבְמַסֶּכֶתin tractateבְּכוֹרוֹתBechorosדףpageח'8aלְלַמֵּדto teachשֶׁיְּמֵיthat the days ofעִבּוּרוֹits gestationשֶׁלofנָחָשׁa serpentשֶׁבַעare sevenשָׁנִים:years

רַשִׁ״י

עלUponגחונךyour bellyתלך.you shall goרַגְלַיִםlegsהָיוּthere wereלוֹto himוְנִקְצְצוּ:and they were cut off

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

וְאֵיבָהAnd enmityאָשִׁיתI will putבֵּינְךָbetween youוּבֵיןand betweenהָאִשָּׁהthe womanוּבֵיןand betweenזַרְעֲךָyour offspringוּבֵיןand betweenזַרְעָהּher offspringהוּאheיְשׁוּפְךָwill crush youרֹאשׁheadוְאַתָּהand youתְּשׁוּפֶנּוּwill bite himעָקֵב׃heel

רַשִׁ״י

ואיבהAnd enmityאשית.I will setאַתָּהyouלֹאnotנִתְכַּוַּנְתָּintendedאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁיָּמוּתthat should dieאָדָםAdamכְּשֶׁיּאֹכַלwhen he eatsהוּאheתְּחִלָּהfirstוְתִשָּׂאand you marryאֶת—חַוָּה,Chavahוְלֹאand notבָאתָdid you comeלְדַבֵּרto speakאֶלtoחַוָּהChavahתְּחִלָּהfirstאֶלָּאexceptלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהַנָּשִׁיםthat womenקַלּוֹתare easyלְהִתְפַּתּוֹתto be persuadedוְיוֹדְעוֹתand know howלְפַתּוֹתto persuadeאֶת—בַּעְלֵיהֶן,their husbandsלְפִיכָךְthereforeוְאֵיבָהand enmityאָשִׁית:I will set

רַשִׁ״י

ישופך.He will bruise youיְכַתֶּתְךָHe will crush youסוטהSotahט'9כְּמוֹlikeוָאֶכֹּתand I beatאֹתוֹitדבריםDevarimט9,וְתַרְגּוּמוֹand its translationוְשָׁפִיתand I poundedיָתֵי':it

רַשִׁ״י

ואתהand youתשופנוshall bruise himעקב.at the heelלֹאnotיְהֵאwill there beלְךָto youקוֹמָהheightוְתִשְּׁכֶנּוּand you will bite himבַּעֲקֵבוֹ,in his heelוְאַףand evenמִשָּׁםfrom thereתְּמִיתֶנּוּ,you will kill himוּלְשׁוֹןand the expressionתְּשׁוּפֶנּוּyou shall bruise himכְּמוֹis likeנָשַׁףit blewבָּהֶםupon themישעיהוYeshayahuמ'chapter 40כְּשֶׁהַנָּחָשׁwhen the snakeבָּאcomesלִנְשֹׁךto biteהוּאitנוֹשֵׁףblowsכְּמִיןwith a kind ofשְׁרִיקָהhissingוּלְפִיand becauseשֶׁהַלָּשׁוֹןthe wordנוֹפֵלfallsעַלuponהַלָּשָוֹןthe wordכְּתִיבit is writtenלְשׁוֹןan expression ofנְשִׁיפָהblowingבִשְׁנֵיהֶם:in both of them

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

אֶלToהָאִשָּׁהthe womanאָמַרHe saidהַרְבָּהI will greatlyאַרְבֶּהmultiplyעִצְּבוֹנֵךְyour painוְהֵרֹנֵךְand your childbearingבְּעֶצֶבin painתֵּלְדִיyou shall bearבָנִיםchildrenוְאֶלand toאִישֵׁךְyour husbandתְּשׁוּקָתֵךְshall be your desireוְהוּאand heיִמְשָׁלshall ruleבָּךְ׃over you

רַשִׁ״י

עצבונך.your painזֶהthis isצַעַרthe trouble ofגִּדּוּלrearingבָּנִיםchildrenעירוביןEruvinק'100:

רַשִׁ״י

והרנך.and thy conceptionזֶהthis isצַעַרthe pain ofהָעִבּוּר:the pregnancy

רַשִׁ״י

בעצבIn painתלדיyou shall bearבנים.childrenזֶהthisצַעַרrefers to pain ofהַלֵּדָה:childbirth

רַשִׁ״י

ואלand toאישךyour husbandתשוקתך.shall be your desireלְתַשְׁמִישׁ,for intimacyוְאַעַפִּ"כֵּand even thoughאֵיןthere is notלָךְto youמֵצַחthe boldnessלְתָבְעוֹto demand himבַּפֶּה,with the mouthאֶלָּאbutהוּאheיִמְשָׁלwill ruleבָּךְ,over youהַכֹּלeverythingמִמֶּנּוּis from himוְלֹאand notמִמֵּךְ:from you

רַשִׁ״י

תשוקתך.your desireתַּאֲוָתֵךְ,your longingכְּמוֹlikeנֶפֶשׁa soulשׁוֹקֵקָהdesirousישעיהוYeshayahuכ"ט29:

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

וּלְאָדָםAnd to AdamאָמַרHe saidכִּיBecauseשָׁמַעְתָּyou listenedלְקוֹלto the voice ofאִשְׁתֶּךָyour wifeוַתֹּאכַלand you ateמִןfromהָעֵץthe treeאֲשֶׁרwhichצִוִּיתִיךָI commanded youלֵאמֹרsayingלֹאnotתֹאכַלyou shall eatמִמֶּנּוּfrom itאֲרוּרָהcursed isהָאֲדָמָהthe groundבַּעֲבוּרֶךָfor your sakeבְּעִצָּבוֹןwith sorrowתֹּאכֲלֶנָּהyou shall eat of itכֹּלallיְמֵיthe days ofחַיֶּיךָ׃your life

רַשִׁ״י

ארורהCursedהאדמהis the groundבעבורך.for your sakeמַעֲלָהit will bring upלְךָfor youדְּבָרִיםthingsאֲרוּרִים,cursedכְּגוֹןsuch asזְבוּבִים,fliesפַּרְעוֹשִׁיםfleasוּנְמָלִים,and antsמָשָׁלa parableלְיוֹצֵאto one who goes outלְתַרְבּוּתto a cultureרָעָהevilוְהַבְּרִיּוֹתand peopleמְקַלְּלוֹתcurseשָׁדַיִםthe breastsשֶׁיָּנַקthat he nursedמֵהֶם:from them

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וְקוֹץAnd thornsוְדַרְדַּרand thistlesתַּצְמִיחַit shall sproutלָךְfor youוְאָכַלְתָּand you shall eatאֶת—עֵשֶׂבthe herb ofהַשָּׂדֶה׃the field

רַשִׁ״י

וקוץAnd thornsודרדרand thistlesתצמיחit shall bring forthלך.to youהָאָרֶץthe earthכְּשֶׁתִּזְרָעֶנָּהwhen you sow itמִינֵיkinds ofזְרָעִים,seedsתַּצְמִיחַit shall bring forthקוֹץthornsוְדַרְדַּרand thistlesקֻנְדָּסartichokesוְעַכָּבִיּוֹת,and cardoonsוְהֵןand theyנֶאֱכָלִיןare eatenעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofתִקּוּןpreparationביצהboilingל"דetcetera:

רַשִׁ״י

ואכלתAnd you shall eatאת—עשבthe herb ofהשדה.the fieldוּמַהAnd whatקְּלָלָהcurseהִיאisזוֹ?thisוַהֲלֹאbut beholdבַּבְּרָכָהin the blessingנֶאֱמַרit was saidלוֹto himהִנֵּהBeholdנָתַתִּיI have givenלָכֶםto youאֶת—כָּלeveryעֵשֶׂבherbזֹרֵעַyieldingזֶרַעseedוְגוֹ?etc.אֶלָּאRatherמָהwhatאָמוּרis saidכָּאןhereבְּרֹאשׁat the beginning ofהָעִנְיָןthe passageאֲרוּרָהCursed isהָאֲדָמָהthe groundבַּעֲבוּרֶךָfor your sakeבְּעִצָּבוֹןin toilתֹּאכְלֶנָּה,shalt thou eat of itוְאַחַרand afterהָעִצָּבוֹןthe toilוְקוֹץthornsוְדַרְדַּרand thistlesתַּצְמִיחַit shall bring forthלָךְ,to youכְּשֶׁתִּזְרָעֶנָּהwhen you sow itקִטְנִיתlegumesאוֹorיַרְקוֹתvegetables ofגִּנָּהa gardenהִיאitתַצְמִיחַshall bring forthלְךָfor youקוֹצִיםthornsוְדַרְדָּרִיםand thistlesוּשְׁאָרand otherעִשְׂבֵיweeds ofהַשָׂדֶהthe fieldוְעַלand againstכָּרְחֲךָyour willתֹּאכְלֵם:you shall eat them

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

בְּזֵעַתBy the sweat ofאַפֶּיךָyour browתֹּאכַלyou shall eatלֶחֶםbreadעַדuntilשׁוּבְךָyour returnאֶלtoהָאֲדָמָהthe groundכִּיforמִמֶּנָּהfrom itלֻקָּחְתָּyou were takenכִּיforעָפָרdustאַתָּהyou areוְאֶלand toעָפָרdustתָּשׁוּב׃you shall return

רַשִׁ״י

בזעתIn the sweat ofאפיך.your faceלְאַחַרafterשֶׁתִּטְרַחthat you toilבּוֹin itהַרְבֵּה:much

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וַיִּקְרָאAnd calledהָאָדָםthe manשֵׁםthe name ofאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeחַוָּהChavahכִּיbecauseהִואsheהָיְתָהwasאֵםthe mother ofכָּלallחָי׃the living

רַשִׁ״י

ויקראAnd he calledהאדם.the manחָזַרreturnedהַכָּתוּבthe Scriptureלְעִנְיָנוֹto its topicהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstוַיִּקְרָאand he calledהָאָדָםthe manשֵׁמוֹת,namesוְלֹאand notהִפְסִיקdid it interruptאֶלָּאexceptלְלַמֶּדְךָto teach youשֶׁעַלthat throughיְדֵיthe hands ofקְרִיאַתthe calling ofשֵׁמוֹתnamesנִזְדַּוְּגָהwas matedלוֹto himחַוָּה,Chavahכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁכָּתוּבthat is writtenוּלְאָדָםbut for Adamלֹאnotמָצָאhe foundעֵזֶרa helperכְּנֶגְדּוֹ,corresponding to himלְפִיכָךְ,thereforeוַיַּפֵּלand He caused to fallתַּרְדֵּמָה,a deep sleepוְעַלand becauseיְדֵיofשֶׁכָּתַבthat it wroteוַיִּהְיוּand they wereעֲרוּמִּים,nakedסָמַךְit juxtaposedלוֹto itפָּרָשַׁתthe portion ofהַנָּחָשׁ,the serpentלְהוֹדִיעֲךְto inform youשֶׁמִּתּוֹךְthat becauseשֶׁרָאָהthat he sawעֶרְוָתָהּher nakednessוְרָאָהand he sawאוֹתָםthemעֲסוּקִיםoccupiedבְּתַשְׁמִישׁwith marital relationsנִתְאַוָּהhe lustedלָהּfor herוּבָאand he cameעֲלֵיהֶםupon themבְּמַחֲשָׁבָהwith a planוּבְמִרְמָה:and with deceit

רַשִׁ״י

חוה.Chavahנוֹפֵלfallsעַלuponלְשׁוֹןthe expression ofחַיָּה,livingשֶׁמְּחַיָּהbecause she gives lifeאֶת—וַלְדוֹתֶיהָ,to her childrenכַּאֲשֶׁרasתֹּאמַרyou would sayמֶהwhatהֹוֶהisלָאָדָםto manקהלתKohelesב'two,בִּלְשׁוֹןin the expression ofהָיָה:was

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וַיַּעַשׂAnd He madeיְהוָהHASHEMאֱלֹהִיםGodלְאָדָםfor Adamוּלְאִשְׁתּוֹand for his wifeכָּתְנוֹתgarments ofעוֹרskinוַיַּלְבִּשֵׁם׃and He clothed them

רַשִׁ״י

כתנותGarments ofעור.skinיֵשׁthere areדִּבְרֵיwords ofאַגָּדָהAggadahאוֹמְרִיםthat sayחֲלָקִיםsmoothכְּצִּפֹּרֶןlike a fingernailהָיוּthey wereמְדֻבָּקִיםcleavingעַלtoעוֹרָןtheir skinוְיֵ"אֹand some sayדָּבָרmaterialהַבָּאthat comesמִןfromהָעוֹר,the skinכְּגוֹןsuch asצֶמֶרthe wool ofהָאַרְנָבִיםthe haresשֶׁהוּאwhich isרַךְsoftוְחָםand warmוְעָשָׂהand He madeלָהֶםfor themכֻּתֳּנוֹתgarmentsמִמֶּנּוּ:from it

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aftermath of the chet is swift and profound, as Hashem confronts Adam, Chavah, and the serpent, leading to a series of severe consequences. The serpent is cursed to crawl on its belly and eat dust, with eternal enmity placed between its offspring and mankind. Chavah is told she will experience great pain in pregnancy and childbearing, while Adam is punished with the curse of the ground, meaning he must now toil by the sweat of his brow to produce bread from a earth that sprouts thorns and thistles. Finally, Adam names his wife Chavah because she is the mother of all living things, and Hashem, in His great mercy, makes garments of skins to clothe them before they are sent out.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The parsha is telling us a fundamental yesod about how the yetzer hara works, and it all starts with how the serpent spoke to Chavah. The serpent didn't start by telling her to go ahead and transgress the ratzon of Hashem. Lichoira, that would never have worked. Instead, he started by exaggerating the restriction, asking, "Did Hashem really say you can't eat from any tree?" And how did Chavah respond? She added to the issur herself, saying they weren't even allowed to touch the tree. Once you artificially expand the boundaries of what is forbidden, the whole structure becomes fragile. The moment you touch the tree and see you didn't die, the yetzer hara has an easy opening to convince you that the actual transgression is also permitted.

This is a massive lesson for our daily avodas Hashem. We often think that to be frum and protected, we need to build imaginary walls of stringency that Hashem never asked of us, or we look at our lives and feel completely suffocated by a false perception that "everything is forbidden." When we view Torah and mitzvos through a lens of heavy, exaggerated restriction, we are actually playing right into the hands of the yetzer hara. Mimeila, we become exhausted, and the moment we slip up on a minor detail, the whole package feels compromised, leading to a real spiritual fall.

Today, focus on serving Hashem with clarity and joy rather than a heavy sense of artificial restriction. When you do a mitzvah or keep a halachah, focus on the beauty of what Hashem actually commanded you to do, rather than adding heavy, self-imposed mental burdens that only lead to frustration.