Second Creation Story
Last week we focused mostly on Genesis 2: 4-7 – The second version of the creation story. Some contrasts and comparisons were discussed.
In the first version humans were created last and in the second version humans were created first. This most significant difference is certainly a point for much interpretation.
The first version starts with an abundance of water and the second version starts with barren earth.
There is a theory that one of the versions is an interpretation from Babylon and the other is from Jerusalem.
The midrash on the second version emphasizes that humans are an important factor to help in the creation. Man is an integral part in making the world a better place. Man can make the world ‘more perfect’.
Rashi writes that God needed the prayer of man and a relationship with humans.
And another midrash notes that God created man because God likes “stories” and man provides them in abundance.
This is a key tension between science and religion. In the scientific interpretation we are not evolving toward anything specific. Religion opens a sense of purpose and a mission for man. Religion’s goal is a messianic time of peace and more, where lions lie down with lambs. The Jewish goal also includes sovereignty in Israel.
Then we moved on to focus on v.6 and the phrase “a mist went up”
R. Marder quoted from a book – she gave me more info on it:
The concept that the whole world is nourished from the waters of the oceans is a beautiful one elaborated in this concept. This happens as the waters change from the salty undrinkable state and become sweet in the clouds.
This concept is tied to immortality of the soul and rebirth.
Genesis 2:7 – Vayitzer with 2 yuds:
There is much commentary on the formation of man from the earth ‘like pottery’ - and the term vayitzer that is used and how it is spelled with 2 yuds.
One of hundreds on the internet:
When God made humans, the Torah spelled the word vayitzer with two yuds. Animals have one inclination. Humans have two inclinations. And it is through two inclinations that we humans are different from the animal world.
Rashi also focused on the dual nature of humans.
It was also pointed out the two yuds often refer to God and it is important for that to be included in the word to carry the meaning of creation of humans.
Further discussion of Rashi’s commentary on the ‘from dust’ concept:
the dust was taken from all parts of the earth which is important to connect all people from all over the earth. It is a focus on cultural diversity!
Last we focused on the concept of creation of only ONE man and ONE woman. Thus we all descend from the same source and there is no superiority of one over the other based on our origin.
In the first version humans were created last and in the second version humans were created first. This most significant difference is certainly a point for much interpretation.
The first version starts with an abundance of water and the second version starts with barren earth.
There is a theory that one of the versions is an interpretation from Babylon and the other is from Jerusalem.
The midrash on the second version emphasizes that humans are an important factor to help in the creation. Man is an integral part in making the world a better place. Man can make the world ‘more perfect’.
Rashi writes that God needed the prayer of man and a relationship with humans.
And another midrash notes that God created man because God likes “stories” and man provides them in abundance.
This is a key tension between science and religion. In the scientific interpretation we are not evolving toward anything specific. Religion opens a sense of purpose and a mission for man. Religion’s goal is a messianic time of peace and more, where lions lie down with lambs. The Jewish goal also includes sovereignty in Israel.
Then we moved on to focus on v.6 and the phrase “a mist went up”
R. Marder quoted from a book – she gave me more info on it:
It's called "Ed Ya'aleh" (in English, "Rising Vapor"). It is not readily
available -- it was printed in Israel, I think, and is entirely in Hebrew.
It's the Torah commentary of Rabbi Eliezer Davidovitz, a relative of Rabbi
Zweiback.
The concept that the whole world is nourished from the waters of the oceans is a beautiful one elaborated in this concept. This happens as the waters change from the salty undrinkable state and become sweet in the clouds.
This concept is tied to immortality of the soul and rebirth.
Genesis 2:7 – Vayitzer with 2 yuds:
There is much commentary on the formation of man from the earth ‘like pottery’ - and the term vayitzer that is used and how it is spelled with 2 yuds.
One of hundreds on the internet:
When God made humans, the Torah spelled the word vayitzer with two yuds. Animals have one inclination. Humans have two inclinations. And it is through two inclinations that we humans are different from the animal world.
Rashi also focused on the dual nature of humans.
It was also pointed out the two yuds often refer to God and it is important for that to be included in the word to carry the meaning of creation of humans.
Further discussion of Rashi’s commentary on the ‘from dust’ concept:
the dust was taken from all parts of the earth which is important to connect all people from all over the earth. It is a focus on cultural diversity!
Last we focused on the concept of creation of only ONE man and ONE woman. Thus we all descend from the same source and there is no superiority of one over the other based on our origin.
posted by Chavarah @ 6:32 AM
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