genesis 2

This week we renew our study of Torah beginning again in the book of Genesis. A significant section of the story of creation is the story of the beginning of Adam and Eve. Many times, it has been taught that originally Hashem created Adam and that Eve was created later. Torah shows us, however, that this is not true.

            Torah explains in verse 22 that Eve is surgically removed from Adam by taking one of his sides. Side, in this case, is frequently mistranslated as rib. So, with closer scrutiny to the text, we see that Eve was in fact created at the same time as Adam, as part of Adam, and was simply removed later.

            In order to differentiate between the original Adam and Adam after Eve was split off, the sages designate the original Adam, Adam Kadmon. Adam Kadmon, the original or ancient man, contained both Adam and Eve. This was Hashem’s original creation that he placed in the Orchard.

            This signifies why the institution of marriage is sacred. Adam cut, man in his original state, contained both Adam and Eve. They were inexorably connected and could not be separated, except by an act of Hashem. Since the time that Hashem separated us into Adam and Eve, we have yearned to be Adam Kadmon once again. Through marriage, and the connection between a man and a woman, we approach the original sanctity of Adam Kadmon. We can never achieve this sanctity, but we can approach it. This is why Hashem explains to us that when we marry, a man and a woman become one flesh. It is like we become Adam Kadmon once again.

Shabbat Shalom.