HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Ask the Rabbi
 
Chabad.org » Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Details » Why Were Humans Created Twice?


Share thisPost a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
4 Comments Posted

Why Were Humans Created Twice?



As I am sure you can imagine, there are so many ways of understanding these verses where each word is laden with meaning. The key here is that man was created once, but we are told about it twice, once as part of the Six Days of Creation, and once again. Why is this?

Rabbeinu Bachya explains that each narrative deals with an entirely different aspect of man. The first deals with an animal called man, and the second tells about the reflection of G‑d called man.

The telling in chapter one follows the creation of the rest of the world, and tells of the man who was created after all the other animals. This man is like the other elements of creation, just a bit better. His purpose is to live and prosper at the helm of the planet. To this man, G‑d said, "Be fruitful and multiply…and rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the sky and over all the beasts that tread upon the earth (Gen. 1:28)."

On the other hand, the creation of chapter two deals with the G‑dly soul of man—something that is entirely above and beyond the rest of creation. About this soul we read, "...and He breathed into his nostrils the soul of life, and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7)."


Share thisPost a CommentPrintSend this page to a friendSubscribe
4 Comments Posted

By Menachem Posner   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Rabbi Menachem Posner is a member of the chabad.org Ask the Rabbi team.
All names of persons and locations or other identifying features referenced in these questions have been omitted or changed to preserve the anonymity of the questioners.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

4 Comments Posted  |  Post A Comment
Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Nov 19, 2009
Why were humans created twice?
So why did G_d create two separate women for Adam? Some writings state that Lillith was the first woman but since she wouldn't be subserviant to Adam, G_d banished her from the Garden; put Adam to sleep and then created Eve in Lillith's place. What is your opinion on this issue?
Posted By Anonymous, Vancouver, WA/Clark
via chabadclarkcounty.com

Posted: Oct 30, 2009
Could man have been created twice? Couldn't this be an explination of evolution? The first man created was the caveman and the second created, Adam is the modern version?
Posted By Kyle, Londonderry, NH/USA

Posted: Oct 30, 2009
Re: The aspects of Hashem
Mark makes an interesting point -- can anyone enlighten me as to what Chassidus says about Adam being "created" twice and if different aspects of G-d were used as Mark suggests?
Posted By Anonymous



 


The Details
Why is Eliezer Anonymous?
What Was So Special About Efron’s Cave?
Why Didn’t Abraham Tell Sarah?
What is Appropriate Behavior at a Jewish Cemetery?
WhY the LargE LetterS?
Why Were Humans Created Twice?
Second Bar Mitzvah?
Why Did the Animals Die in the Flood?
What Was Up With the Tower of Babel?
Where Is It Written That We Must Yearn For Moshiach?
Why is Sukkot celebrated in the autumn?
How Is a High Priest Selected?
How Many Blessings does a Jew Say Each Day?
Why Babylonian Names for Jewish Months?
Naming a Baby Girl at the Earliest Opportunity
Showing 1 - 15 of 237