## Ramban on Genesis Chapter 1

###### Ramban on Genesis 1:1:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:1:1)

**בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים** אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: לֹא הָיָה צָרִיךְ לְהַתְחִיל הַתּוֹרָה אֶלָּא מֵ"הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם" (שמות יב ב), שֶׁהִיא מִצְוָה רִאשׁוֹנָה שֶׁנִּצְטַוּוּ בָּהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל. וּמָה טַעַם פָּתַח בִּבְרֵאשִׁית? שֶׁאִם יֹאמְרוּ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם: "לִסְטִים אַתֶּם, שֶׁכְּבַשְׁתֶּם לָכֶם אַרְצוֹת שִׁבְעָה גּוֹיִם", הֵם אוֹמְרִים לָהֶם: "כָּל הָאָרֶץ שֶׁל הַקָּבָּ"ה הִיא, וּנְתָנָהּ לַאֲשֶׁר יָשַׁר בְּעֵינָיו; וּבִרְצוֹנוֹ נְתָנָהּ לָהֶם, וּבִרְצוֹנוֹ נְטָלָהּ מֵהֶם וּנְתָנָהּ לָנוּ". וְזוֹ אַגָּדָה בַּלָּשׁוֹן שֶׁכְּתָבָהּ רַבֵּינוּ שְׁלֹמֹה בְּפֵרוּשָׁיו. וְיֵשׁ לִשְׁאֹל בָּהּ, כִּי צֹרֶךְ גָּדוֹל הוּא לְהַתְחִיל הַתּוֹרָה בִּ"בְרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים", כִּי הוּא שֹׁרֶשׁ הָאֱמוּנָה; וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ מַאֲמִין בָּזֶה וְחוֹשֵׁב שֶׁהָעוֹלָם קַדְמוֹן, הוּא כּוֹפֵר בָּעִקָּר וְאֵין לוֹ תּוֹרָה כְּלָל. וְהַתְּשׁוּבָה, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמַּעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית – סוֹד עָמֹק, אֵינוֹ מוּבָן מִן הַמִּקְרָאוֹת, וְלֹא יִוָּדַע עַל בֻּרְיוֹ אֶלָּא מִפִּי הַקַּבָּלָה עַד מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה, וְיוֹדְעָיו חַיָּבִין לְהַסְתִּיר אוֹתוֹ. לְכָךְ אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק שֶׁאֵין לְהַתְחָלַת הַתּוֹרָה צֹרֶךְ בִּ"בְרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא", וְהַסִּפּוּר בְּמָה שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן וּמָה נַעֲשָׂה בְּיוֹם שֵׁנִי וּשְׁאָר הַיָּמִים, וְהָאֲרִיכוּת בִּיצִירַת אָדָם וְחַוָּה, וְחֶטְאָם וְעָנְשָׁם, וְסִפּוּר גַּן עֵדֶן וְגֵרוּשׁ אָדָם מִמֶּנּוּ, כִּי כָל זֶה לֹא יוּבַן בִּינָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַכְּתוּבִים. וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן סִפּוּר דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל וְהַפַּלָּגָה, שֶׁאֵין הַצֹּרֶךְ בָּהֶם גָּדוֹל. וְיַסְפִּיק לְאַנְשֵׁי הַתּוֹרָה בִּלְעֲדֵי הַכְּתוּבִים הָאֵלֶּה, וְיַאֲמִינוּ בִּכְלָל בַּנִּזְכָּר לָהֶם בַּעֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת (שמות כ י): "כִּי שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים עָשָׂה ה' אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת הָאָרֶץ אֶת הַיָּם וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר בָּם וַיָּנַח בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי", וְתִשָּׁאֵר הַיְּדִיעָה לַיְּחִידִים שֶׁבָּהֶם הֲלָכָה לְמֹשֶׁה מִסִּינַי, עִם הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה. וְנָתַן רַבִּי יִצְחָק טַעַם לָזֶה, כִּי הִתְחִילָה הַתּוֹרָה בִּ"בְרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים" וְסִפּוּר כָּל עִנְיַן הַיְּצִירָה עַד בְּרִיאַת אָדָם, וְשֶׁהִמְשִׁילוֹ בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו וְכֹל שַׁתָּ תַחַת רַגְלָיו, וְגַן עֵדֶן – שֶׁהוּא מִבְחַר הַמְּקוֹמוֹת הַנִּבְרָאִים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה – נַעֲשָׂה מָכוֹן לְשִׁבְתּוֹ, עַד שֶׁגֵּרֵשׁ אוֹתוֹ חֶטְאוֹ מִשָּׁם. וְאַנְשֵׁי דּוֹר הַמַּבּוּל, בְּחֶטְאָם גֹּרְשׁוּ מִן הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ, וְהַצַּדִּיק בָּהֶם לְבַדּוֹ נִמְלָט, הוּא וּבָנָיו. וְזַרְעָם, חֶטְאָם גָּרַם לָהֶם לַהֲפִיצָם בִּמְקוֹמוֹת וּלְזָרוֹתָם בַּאֲרָצוֹת, וְתָפְשׂוּ לָהֶם הַמְּקוֹמוֹת לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָם בְּגוֹיֵיהֶם כְּפִי שֶׁנִּזְדַּמֵּן לָהֶם. אִם כֵּן רָאוּי הוּא, כַּאֲשֶׁר יוֹסִיף הַגּוֹי לַחֲטוֹא, שֶׁיֹּאבַד מִמְּקוֹמוֹ וְיָבוֹא גּוֹי אַחֵר לָרֶשֶׁת אֶת אַרְצוֹ, כִּי כֵן הוּא מִשְׁפַּט הָאֱלֹהִים בָּאָרֶץ מֵעוֹלָם. וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן עִם הַמְסֻפָּר בַּכָּתוּב כִּי כְּנַעַן מְקֻלָּל וְנִמְכַּר לְעֶבֶד עוֹלָם, וְאֵינוֹ רָאוּי שֶׁיִּירַשׁ מִבְחַר מְקוֹמוֹת הַיִּשּׁוּב, אֲבָל יִירָשׁוּהָ עַבְדֵי ה' זֶרַע אוֹהֲבוֹ, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁכָּתוּב (תהלים קה מד): "וַיִּתֵּן לָהֶם אַרְצוֹת גּוֹיִם וַעֲמַל לְאֻמִּים יִירָשׁוּ בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמְרוּ חֻקָּיו וְתוֹרֹתָיו יִנְצֹרוּ". כְּלוֹמַר, שֶׁגֵּרֵשׁ מִשָּׁם מוֹרְדָיו, וְהִשְׁכִּין בּוֹ עוֹבְדָיו, שֶׁיֵּדְעוּ כִּי בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִנְחָלוּהָ, וְאִם יֶחְטְאוּ לוֹ – תָּקִיא אוֹתָם הָאָרֶץ כַּאֲשֶׁר קָאָה אֶת הַגּוֹי אֲשֶׁר לִפְנֵיהֶם. וַאֲשֶׁר יְבָאֵר הַפֵּרוּשׁ שֶׁכָּתַבְתִּי, לְשׁוֹנָם בִּבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (פרשה א) שֶׁאֲמָרוּהָ שָׁם בַּלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה: רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ דְּסִכְנִין בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי לֵוִי פָּתַח, "כֹּחַ מַעֲשָׂיו הִגִּיד לְעַמּוֹ" (תהלים קיא ו). מָה טַעַם גִּלָּה לָהֶם הקב"ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מַה שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן וּמָה שֶׁנִּבְרָא בְּיוֹם שֵׁנִי? מִפְּנֵי ז' אֻמּוֹת, שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ מוֹנִין אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאוֹמְרִים לָהֶם: הֲלֹא אֻמָּה שֶׁל בְּזִיזוֹת אַתֶּם. וְיִשְׂרָאֵל מְשִׁיבִין לָהֶם: וְאַתֶּם הֲלֹא בְּזוּזָה הִיא בְּיֶדְכֶם, הֲלֹא "כַּפְתֹּרִים הַיֹּצְאִים מִכַּפְתּוֹר הִשְׁמִידֻם וַיֵּשְׁבוּ תַחְתָּם" (דברים ב כג). הָעוֹלָם וּמְלוֹאוֹ שֶׁל הקב"ה הוּא, כְּשֶׁרָצָה – נְתָנוֹ לָכֶם; כְּשֶׁרָצָה – נְטָלוֹ מִכֶּם וּנְתָנוֹ לָנוּ. הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים קיא ו), "לָתֵת לָהֶם נַחֲלַת גּוֹיִם" – "כֹּחַ מַעֲשָׂיו הִגִּיד לְעַמּוֹ": בִּשְׁבִיל לָתֵת לָהֶם נַחֲלַת גּוֹיִם, הִגִּיד לָהֶם אֶת בְּרֵאשִׁית. וּכְבָר בָּא לָהֶם מִמָּקוֹם אַחֵר עוֹד הָעִנְיָן שֶׁהִזְכַּרְתִּי. בְּתַעֲלוּמוֹת מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית, אָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל: "כֹּחַ מַעֲשָׂיו הִגִּיד לְעַמּוֹ", לְהַגִּיד כֹּחַ מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית לְבָשָׂר וָדָם אִי אֶפְשָׁר; לְפִיכָךְ סָתַם לְךָ הַכָּתוּב בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים. אִם כֵּן נִתְבָּאֵר מָה שֶׁאָמַרְנוּ בָּזֶה.

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
IN THE BEGINNING G-D CREATED. Rabbi Yitzchak said: The Torah, which is the book of laws, should have begun with the verse, *This month shall be unto you the first of the months*,¹ which is the first commandment given to Israel.², etc., is “the *first* commandment given to Israel” as a people. What then is the reason that it begins with the creation? Should the nations of the world say to Israel, “You are robbers because you took unto yourselves the lands of the seven nations of Canaan,” they [Israel] may reply to them, “The whole world belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He. He gave it to whom He pleased, and according to His Will, He took it [the land] from them and gave it to us.”
This is a homiletic exposition³ 11. See also Rashi (Berliner) p. 424. as quoted by Rabbi Shlomo [Rashi] in his commentaries.
One may object that it was indeed very necessary to begin the Torah with the chapter of *In the beginning G-d created* for this is the root of faith, and he who does not believe in this and thinks the world was eternal denies the essential principle of the [Judaic] religion and has no Torah at all.⁴
The answer is that the process of creation is a deep mystery not to be understood from the verses, and it cannot truly be known except through the tradition going back to Moses our teacher who received it from the mouth of the Almighty, and those who know it are obligated to conceal it.⁵ It is for this reason that Rabbi Yitzchak said that it was not necessary for the Torah to begin with the chapter of *In the beginning G-d created* and the narration of what was created on the first day, what was done on the second and other days, as well as a prolonged account of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin and punishment, and the story of the Garden of Eden and the expulsion of Adam from it, because all this cannot be understood completely from the verses. It is all the more unnecessary for the story of the generations of the flood and of the dispersion to be written in the Torah for there is no great need of these narratives, and, for people who believe in the Torah, it would suffice without these verses. They would believe in the general statement mentioned to them in the Ten Commandments: *For in six days the Eternal made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day*,⁶ and the knowledge of the process of creation would remain with individuals as a tradition from Moses who received the law on Sinai together with the Oral Torah.
Rabbi Yitzchak then gave a reason for it. The Torah began with the chapter of *In the beginning G-d created* and recounted the whole subject of creation until the making of man, how He [G-d] granted him dominion over the works of His hands, and that He put all things under his feet;⁷ and how the Garden of Eden, which is the choicest of places created in this world, was made the place of his abode until his sin caused his expulsion therefrom; and how the people of the generation of the flood were completely expelled from the world on account of their sin, and the only righteous one among them — he [Noah] and his children — were saved; and how the sin of their descendants caused them to be scattered to various places and dispersed to different countries, and how subsequently they seized unto themselves places *after their families, in their nations*,⁸ as chance permitted. If so, it is proper that when a people continues to sin it should lose its place and another people should come to inherit its land, for such has been the rule of G-d in the world⁹ (world) may also refer here to “the land,” especially the Land of Israel. See Ramban further, 26:5. from the beginning. This is true all the more regarding that which is related in Scripture, namely that Canaan was cursed and sold as a servant forever.¹⁰ It would therefore not be proper that he inherit the choicest of places of the civilized world. Rather, the servants of G-d — the seed of His beloved one, Abraham¹¹ — should inherit it, even as it is written, *And He gave them the lands of the nations, and they took the labor of the peoples in possession; that they might keep His statutes, and observe His laws*.¹² That is to say, He expelled those who rebelled against Him, and settled therein those who served Him so that they know by serving Him they will inherit it, whereas if they sin against Him, the land will vomit them out, just as it vomited out the nation before them.¹³
Elucidating the explanation I have written are the words of the Sages in Bereshith Rabbah, wherein they say as follows:¹⁴ “Rabbi Yehoshua, of the city of Siknin, in the name of Rabbi Levi opened [his discourse on this chapter of Creation with the verse]: *He hath declared to His people the power of His works*.¹⁵ Why did the Holy One, blessed be He, reveal to Israel what was created on the first day and what was created on the second day? It is on account of the seven nations who inhabited the land of Canaan, so that they should not taunt Israel and say to them: ‘Are you not a nation of robbers?’ Israel could then reply to them: ‘And you, is it not booty in your hands? *Have not the Caphtorim that came forth from Caphtor destroyed them and dwelt in their stead?*¹⁶ The world and the fullness thereof belong to the Holy One, blessed be He. When He willed it, He gave it to you, and when He willed it, He took it from you and gave it to us.’ It is this which Scripture says, *To give them the heritage of the nations*.¹⁵ *He hath declared to His people the power of His works* in order *to give them the heritage of the nations*. Hence He told them the account of creation.”
There is yet another source for the subject I have mentioned: the mysteries in the process of creation. It is what our Rabbis of blessed memory have said:¹⁷ *“He hath declared to His people the power of His works*.¹⁵ To declare the power of the process of creation to a mortal being is impossible. Therefore, Scripture closed the matter: *In the beginning G-d created.”* Thus is elucidated what we have said on this subject.¹⁸

footnotes:
¹ Exodus 12:2.
² It is true the book of Genesis contains three commandments (1:28; 17:10; 32:33), but after the Revelation on Sinai these laws became incumbent upon Israel. Hence the verse this month
³ Found in Tanchuma (Buber), Bereshith
⁴ A person who thinks the world is eternal cannot believe in miracles since, if G-d did not create the world, He cannot possibly change it. Ramban explains in many places (e.g., see further, 17:1; 46:15) that all Divine promises concerning the blessings or imprecations which will follow upon our observance or disregard of the Torah are miraculous in nature of “invisible miracles.” A person who believes that the world is eternal thus has “no Torah at all.” See further my English work, Ramban: His Life and Teachings, Chapter 13.
⁵ Chagigah 11 b: “The process of Creation may not be expounded before two.”
⁶ Exodus 20:11.
⁷ See Psalms 8:7.
⁸ Genesis 10:5.
⁹ The Hebrew word ba’aretz
¹⁰ Genesis 9:25.
¹¹ See Isaiah 41:8.
¹² Psalms 105:44-45.
¹³ See Leviticus 18:28.
¹⁴ 1:3.
¹⁵ Psalms 111:6.
¹⁶ Deuteronomy 2:23.
¹⁵ Psalms 111:6.
¹⁷ This Midrash is quoted by Rambam in his Preface to Moreh Nebuchim. See Batei Midrashoth, ed. Wertheimer, I, p. 251.
¹⁵ Psalms 111:6.
¹⁸ That the details in the process of creation and the settlement of the earth were written for the purpose of justifying Israel’s possession of the land while the essential process of creation itself remains a mystery.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:1:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:1:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:1:2)

**בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים** כָּתַב רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית א':א'): אֵין הַמִּקְרָא הַזֶּה אוֹמֵר אֶלָּא "דָּרְשֵׁנִי", כְּמוֹ שֶׁדְּרָשׁוּהוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ: בִּשְׁבִיל הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁנִקְרֵאת רֵאשִׁית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ח כח) "ה' קָנָנִי רֵאשִׁית דַּרְכּוֹ", וּבִשְׁבִיל יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִקְרְאוּ רֵאשִׁית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ירמיהו ב ג) "קֹדֶשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל לַה' רֵאשִׁית תְּבוּאָתוֹ". וְהַמִּדְרָשׁ הַזֶּה לְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ סָתוּם וְחָתוּם מְאֹד, כִּי דְּבָרִים רַבִּים מָצְאוּ שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ רֵאשִׁית, וּבְכֻלָּם לָהֶם מִדְרָשִׁים, וּקְטַנֵּי אֲמָנָה יְסַפְּרוּ לָהֶם לְרֻבָּם. אָמְרוּ (בראשית רבה פרשה א): בִּזְכוּת שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם: בִּזְכוּת חַלָּה, בִּזְכוּת מַעַשְׂרוֹת, וּבִזְכוּת בִּכּוּרִים. בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים – אֵין רֵאשִׁית אֶלָּא חַלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר טו כ): "רֵאשִׁית עֲרִסֹתֵכֶם". וְאֵין רֵאשִׁית אֶלָּא מַעַשְׂרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יח ד): "רֵאשִׁית דְּגָנְךָ". וְאֵין רֵאשִׁית אֶלָּא בִּכּוּרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כג יט): "רֵאשִׁית בִּכּוּרֵי אַדְמָתְךָ". וְעוֹד אָמְרוּ (שם): בִּזְכוּת מֹשֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים לג כא): "וַיַּרְא רֵאשִׁית לוֹ". וְכַוָּנָתָם זוֹ, שֶׁמִּילַת בְּרֵאשִׁית תִּרְמֹז כִּי בְּעֶשֶׂר סְפִירוֹת נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם. וְרָמַז לִסְפִירָה הַנִּקְרֵאת חָכְמָה שֶׁבָּהּ יְסוֹד כֹּל, כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ג יט): "ה' בְּחָכְמָה יָסַד אָרֶץ", הִיא הַתְּרוּמָה. וְהִיא קֹדֶשׁ, אֵין לָהּ שִׁעוּר לְמִעוּט הִתְבּוֹנְנוּת הַנִּבְרָאִים בָּהּ. וְכַאֲשֶׁר יִמְנֶה אָדָם עֶשֶׂר מִדּוֹת וְיַפְרִישׁ אַחַת מֵעֶשֶׂר, רֶמֶז לְעֶשֶׂר סְפִירוֹת, יִתְבּוֹנְנוּ הַחֲכָמִים בָּעֲשִׂירִית וִידַבְּרוּ בָּהּ. וְהַחַלָּה – מִצְוָה יְחִידָה בָּעִסָּה – תִּרְמֹז לָזֶה. וְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ "רֵאשִׁית", הִיא כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמְּשׁוּלָה בְּשִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים לְכַלָּה, שֶׁקְּרָאָהּ הַכָּתוּב "בַּת" וְ"אָחוֹת" וְ"אֵם", וּכְבָר בָּא לָהֶם זֶה בַּמִּדְרָשׁ (שיר השירים רבה פרשה ג): "בָּעֲטָרָה שֶׁעִטְּרָה לּוֹ אִמּוֹ" (שיר השירים ג יא), וּבִמְקוֹמוֹת רַבִּים. וְכֵן "וַיַּרְא רֵאשִׁית לוֹ" דְּמֹשֶׁה, יִסְבְּרוּ כִּי מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ נִסְתַּכֵּל בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה וַיַּרְא רֵאשִׁית לוֹ, וְלָכֵן זָכָה לַתּוֹרָה. הַכֹּל כַּוָּנָה אַחַת לָהֶם. וְאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַאֲרִיךְ בְּפֵרוּשׁ זֶה הָעִנְיָן בְּמִכְתָּב, וְהָרֶמֶז רַב הַנֶּזֶק, כִּי יִסְבְּרוּ בּוֹ סְבָרוֹת אֵין בָּהֶם אֱמֶת. אֲבָל הִזְכַּרְתִּי זֶה לִבְלֹם פִּי קְטַנֵּי אֲמָנָה מְעוּטֵי חָכְמָה, הַמַּלְעִיגִים עַל דִּבְרֵי רַבּוֹתֵינוּ.

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
IN THE BEGINNING G-D CREATED. Rashi wrote: “This verse calls aloud for elucidation,¹⁹ (in the beginning) appears throughout the Bible in a construct form such as: *In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim* (Jeremiah 27:1). But here it cannot be in construct form since such a form can be used only in connection with a noun, and the word *bara* (He created) is a verb. (b) Again, it cannot be said that here *bereshith* is actually in a construct form and that a missing noun is implied, thus making the sense of the verse, “in the beginning of all, G—d created…,” for if so, the following difficulty presents itself: since Scripture, according to this interpretation, sets out to tell us the order in which things were created, why does it say in Verse 2 *And the spirit of G-d hovered over the face of the waters* when it has not yet told us when water was created? Hence Rashi turns to a Midrashic interpretation in which the word *reshith* is another name for the Torah and Israel. The word *bereshith* is thus not in a construct form but stands by itself, and the sense conveyed is: “For the sake of that which is *reshith* [Torah and Israel] G-d created.” as our Rabbis have explained it:²⁰ 3. “For the sake of Torah which is called *reshith*, as it is said, *The Eternal made me as ‘reshith’* (the beginning) *of His way*,²¹ and for the sake of Israel who is called *reshith*, as it is said, *Israel is the Eternal’s hallowed portion, the ‘reshith’* (first-fruits) *of His increase*.”²²
This Midrash of our Rabbis is very hidden and secret for there are many things the Rabbis found that are called *reshith* and concerning which they give Midrashic interpretations, and those wanting in faith count their multitude. For example, they [the Rabbis] have said:²³ “For the merit acquired by [fulfilling the commandments associated with] three things has the world been created: for the merit of the Dough-offering, for the merit of Tithes and for the merit of the First-fruits. *In the beginning G-d created. Reshith* surely signifies the Dough-offering, as it is said, *The first of your dough*.²⁴ *Reshith* surely signifies the Tithes, as it is said, *The first of thy corn*.²⁵ *Reshith* surely signifies the First-fruits, as it is said, *The first-fruits of thy land*.”²⁶
The Rabbis have further said:²³ “For the merit acquired by Moses [the world has been created], as it is said, *And he chose a first part for himself*.”²⁷) It was thus for the sake of this meritorious person, of whom *reshith* was said, that the world was created.
Their intent in the above texts is as follows: the word *bereshith* alludes to the creation of the world by Ten Emanations, and hints in particular to the emanation called Wisdom, in which is the foundation of everything, even as it says, *The Eternal hath founded the earth by wisdom*.²⁸ This is the Heave-offering [referred to in the Midrash mentioned above], and it is holy; it has no precise measure,²⁹ thus indicating the little understanding created beings have of it. Now just as a man counts ten measures — this alludes to the Ten Emanations — and sets aside one measure of the ten as a Tithe, so do the wise men contemplate the tenth Emanation and speak about it. The Dough-offering, which is the single commandment pertaining to the dough, alludes to this. Now Israel, which is called *reshith* as mentioned above, is “the congregation of Israel,” which is compared in the Song of Songs to a bride and whom Scripture in turn calls “daughter,” “sister” and “mother.” The Rabbis have already expressed this in a homiletic interpretation of the verse, *Upon the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him*,³⁰ and in other places. Similarly, the verse concerning Moses, *And he chose a first part for himself*,²⁷) It was thus for the sake of this meritorious person, of whom *reshith* was said, that the world was created. which they [the Rabbis in the above Midrash] interpret to mean that Moses our teacher contemplated [the Deity] through a lucid speculum,³¹ and he saw that which is called *reshith* (the first) for himself, and therefore he merited the Torah. Thus all the above Midrashim have one meaning. Now it is impossible to discuss this explanation at length in writing, and even an allusion is dangerous since people might have thoughts concerning it which are untrue. But I have mentioned this [i.e., the above brief explanation] in order to close the mouths of those wanting in faith and of little wisdom, who scoff at the words of our Rabbis.

footnotes:
¹⁹ The difficulties in the verse are: (a) The word bereshith
²⁰ Bereshith Rabbah 1:6; Tanchuma (Buber) Bereshith
²¹ Proverbs 8:22.
²² Jeremiah 2:3.
²³ Bereshith Rabbah 1:6.
²⁴ Numbers 15:20.
²⁵ Deuteronomy 18:4.
²⁶ Exodus 23:19.
²³ Bereshith Rabbah 1:6.
²⁷ Deuteronomy 33:21. Reference here is to Moses who took the territory of Kings Sihon and Og as he knew that his grave was to be therein. (See Rashi, ibid.
²⁸ Proverbs 3:19.
²⁹ By law of the Torah, the Heave-offering given to the priest has no fixed measure; the owner may give according to his discretion. “Even one grain frees the whole mound” (Kiddushin 58 b). Similarly, our conception of Divine wisdom is infinitesimal in relation to its true scope.
³⁰ Song of Songs 3:11.
²⁷ Deuteronomy 33:21. Reference here is to Moses who took the territory of Kings Sihon and Og as he knew that his grave was to be therein. (See Rashi, ibid.
³¹ So clearly stated in Yebamoth 49b.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:1:3
[Ramban on Genesis 1:1:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:1:3)

**בְּרֵאשִׁית** כָּתַב רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית א':א'): וְאִם בָּאתָ לְפָרְשׁוֹ כִּפְשׁוּטוֹ כָּךְ פָּרְשֵׁהוּ: בְּרֵאשִׁית בְּרִיַּת שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ, וְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ וְחֹשֶׁךְ, וַיֹּאמֶר הקב"ה יְהִי אוֹר. אִם כֵּן, הַכֹּל נִמְשַׁךְ לִבְרִיאַת הָאוֹר. וְרַבִּי אַבְרָהָם פֵּרֵשׁ כְּעִנְיָן זֶה בְּעַצְמוֹ, אֲבָל תִּקֵּן כִּי הַו"ו בְּמִילַת "וְהָאָרֶץ" אֵינָהּ מְשַׁמֶּשֶׁת, וְרַבּוֹת כֵּן בַּמִּקְרָאוֹת. וְהַטַּעַם, כִּי בְּרֵאשִׁית בְּרִיאַת הָרָקִיעַ וְהַיַּבָּשָׁה לֹא הָיָה בָּאָרֶץ יִשּׁוּב, אֲבָל הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ מְכֻסָּה בְּמַיִם, וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר. וּלְפִי דַּעְתּוֹ, לֹא נִבְרָא בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן רַק הָאוֹר. וְהַקֻּשְׁיָא לְרַבֵּינוּ שְׁלֹמֹה בַּפֵּרוּשׁ הַזֶּה, כִּי אָמַר, שֶׁאִם בָּא לְהוֹרוֹת סֵדֶר הַבְּרִיאָה בְּאֵלּוּ לוֹמַר שֶׁהֵם קָדְמוּ – הָיָה לוֹ לִכְתֹּב "בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה", שֶׁאֵין "רֵאשִׁית" בַּמִּקְרָא שֶׁאֵינוֹ סָמוּךְ. וְהִנֵּה "מַגִּיד מֵרֵאשִׁית אַחֲרִית" (ישעיהו מו י). וְאִם יִסְמֹךְ אוֹתוֹ לְ"דָּבָר", גַּם זֶה תִּסְמֹךְ אוֹתוֹ. וְעוֹד, "וַיַּרְא רֵאשִׁית לוֹ" (דברים לג כא). וְטָעַן בָּזֶה עוֹד טְעָנוֹת. וְעַתָּה שְׁמַע פֵּרוּשׁ הַמִּקְרָא עַל פְּשׁוּטוֹ נָכוֹן וּבָרוּר. הקב"ה בָּרָא כָּל הַנִּבְרָאִים מֵאֲפִיסָה מֻחְלֶטֶת. וְאֵין אֶצְלֵנוּ בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ בְּהוֹצָאַת הַיֵּשׁ מֵאַיִן אֶלָּא לְשׁוֹן "בָּרָא"; וְאֵין כָּל הַנַּעֲשֶׂה – תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ אוֹ לְמַעְלָה – הוֹוֶה מִן הָאַיִן הַתְחָלָה רִאשׁוֹנָה. אֲבָל הוֹצִיא מִן הָאֶפֶס הַגָּמוּר הַמֻּחְלָט יְסוֹד דַּק מְאֹד, אֵין בּוֹ מַמָּשׁ, אֲבָל הוּא כֹּחַ מַמְצִיא, מוּכָן לְקַבֵּל הַצּוּרָה וְלָצֵאת מִן הַכֹּחַ אֶל הַפֹּעַל. וְהוּא הַחֹמֶר הָרִאשׁוֹן, נִקְרָא לַיְּוָנִים "הִיּוּלִי". וְאַחַר הַהִיּוּלִי לֹא בָּרָא דָּבָר, אֲבָל יָצַר וְעָשָׂה, כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ הִמְצִיא הַכֹּל וְהִלְבִּישׁ הַצּוּרוֹת וְתִקֵּן אוֹתָן. וְדַע, כִּי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם – חֹמֶר אֶחָד, וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ – חֹמֶר אֶחָד. והקב"ה בָּרָא אֵלּוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם מֵאַיִן, וּשְׁנֵיהֶם לְבַדָּם נִבְרָאִים, וְהַכֹּל נַעֲשִׂים מֵהֶם. וְהַחֹמֶר הַזֶּה, שֶׁקָּרְאוּ הִיּוּלִי, נִקְרָא בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ "תֹּהוּ", וְהַמִּלָּה נִגְזְרָה מִלְּשׁוֹנָם (קידושין מ ב): "בְּתוֹהֶא עַל הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת". מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאִם בָּא אָדָם לִגְזֹר בּוֹ שֵׁם, תּוֹהֶא וְנִמְלָךְ לְקוֹרְאוֹ בְּשֵׁם אַחֵר, כִּי לֹא לָבַשׁ צוּרָה שֶׁיִּתָּפֵשׂ בָּהּ הַשֵּׁם כְּלָל. וְהַצּוּרָה הַנִּלְבֶּשֶׁת לַחֹמֶר הַזֶּה נִקְרֵאת בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ "בֹּהוּ", וְהַמִּלָּה מֻרְכֶּבֶת, כְּלוֹמַר "בּוֹ הוּא", כְּמִלַּת "לֹא תוּכַל עֲשֹׂהוּ" (שמות יח יח), שֶׁמְּחֻסַּר הַו"ו וְהָאָלֶ"ף, עֲשׂוֹ הוּא. וְזֶהוּ שֶׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב (ישעיהו לד יא): "וְנָטָה עָלֶיהָ קַו תֹהוּ וְאַבְנֵי בֹהוּ", כִּי הוּא הַקַּו אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ יְתַחֵם הָאֻמָּן מַחְשֶׁבֶת בִּנְיָנוֹ וּמָה שֶׁיְּקַוֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹת, נִגְזַר מִן "קַוֵּה אֶל ה'" (תהלים כז יד), וְהָאֲבָנִים הֵם צוּרוֹת בַּבִּנְיָן. וְכֵן כָּתוּב: "מֵאֶפֶס וָתֹהוּ נֶחְשְׁבוּ לוֹ" (ישעיהו מ יז), כִּי הַתֹּהוּ אַחַר הָאֶפֶס, וְאֵינֶנּוּ דָּבָר. וְכָךְ אָמְרוּ בְּסֵפֶר יְצִירָה: "יָצַר מִתֹּהוּ מַמָּשׁ וְעָשָׂה אֵינוֹ יֶשְׁנוֹ". וְעוֹד אָמְרוּ בְּמִדְרַשׁ רַבִּי נְחוּנְיָא בֶּן הַקָּנָה (ספר הבהיר): אָמַר רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה, מַאי דִכְתִיב: "וְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ"? מַאי מַשְׁמַע "הָיְתָה"? שֶׁכְּבָר הָיְתָה תֹּהוּ. וּמַאי "בֹּהוּ"? אֶלָּא תֹּהוּ הָיְתָה, וּמַאי "תֹּהוּ"? דָּבָר הַמַּתְהֶא בְּנֵי אָדָם, וְחָזְרָה לְבֹהוּ. וּמַאי "בֹּהוּ"? דָּבָר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ מַמָּשׁ, דִּכְתִיב "בּוֹ הוּא".

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
IN THE BEGINNING. Rashi wrote: “If you wish to explain it [the word *bereshith*] in accordance with its plain meaning, explain it thus: at the beginning of the creation of the heaven and earth, and the earth was formless and void and there was darkness, the Holy One, blessed be He, said, *Let there be light*.” If so, the whole text leads into the creation of light.
Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra explained it in an identical way. However, he established that the letter *vav* in the word *veha’aretz* (and the earth) does not şerve [as a connecting letter as it normally does and which would mean “and,” but it serves rather as the word “when.”] There are many such examples in Scripture. The meaning then according to Rabbi Abraham would be: at the beginning of the creation of heaven and dry land, there was no habitable place on earth; rather, it was unformed and void and covered with water, and G-d said, *Let there be light*. According to Abraham ibn Ezra’s opinion, only light³² was created on the first day.
The difficulty which Rabbi Shlomo [Rashi] had which led him to the above interpretation is, as he said: For if Scripture intended to teach the order in which the acts of creation took place, it should have written *barishonah* [instead of *bereshith*], since wherever the word *reshith* occurs in Scripture it is in the construct state. But there is the verse, *Declaring the end ‘mereshith’ [from the beginning]*.³³ is not in the construct state. And if one will connect it with the missing word *davar* [thing — thus making the verse read: “Declaring the end of a thing from the beginning of a thing”—] here too it could be connected to a missing word.³⁴, (In the beginning of everything [G—d created]). There is also the verse, *And he chose ‘reshith’ (a first part) for himself*.²⁷) It was thus for the sake of this meritorious person, of whom *reshith* was said, that the world was created. [Here again the word *reshith* is not used in the construct state.] And Rashi raised other objections.
Now listen to the correct and clear explanation of the verse in its simplicity. The Holy One, blessed be He, created all things from absolute non-existence. Now we have no expression in the sacred language for bringing forth something from nothing other than the word *bara* (created). Everything that exists under the sun or above was not made from non-existence at the outset. Instead He brought forth from total and absolute nothing a very thin substance devoid of corporeality but having a power of potency, fit to assume form and to proceed from potentiality into reality. This was the primary matter created by G-d; it is called by the Greeks *hyly* (matter). After the *hyly*, He did not create anything, but He formed and made things with it, and from this *hyly* He brought everything into existence and clothed the forms and put them into a finished condition.
Know that the heavens and all that is in them consist of one substance, and the earth and everything that is in it consist of one substance. The Holy One, blessed be He, created these two substances from nothing;³⁵ they alone were created, and everything else was constructed from them.
This substance, which the Greeks called *hyly*, is called in the sacred language *tohu*, the word being derived from the expression of the Sages:³⁶ “*betohei* (when the wicked bethinks himself) of his doings in the past.” If a person wants to decide a name for it [this primordial matter], he may bethink himself, change his mind and call it by another name since it has taken on no form to which the name should be attached. The form which this substance finally takes on is called in the sacred language *bohu*, which is a composite word made up of the two words *bo hu* (in it there is [substance]). This may be compared to the verse, *Thou art not able ‘asohu’ (to perform it)*,³⁷ in which case the word *asohu* is missing a *vav* and an *aleph* [and is a composite of the two words] *aso hu*. It is this which Scripture says, *And he shall stretch over it the line of ‘tohu’ (confusion) and the stones of ‘bohu.’*³⁸. [The *tohu* in Hebrew or *hyly* in Greek] is the line by which the craftsman delineates the plan of his structure and that which he hopes to make. This is derived from the expression, *Kavei (Hope) unto G-d*.³⁹ *The stones* are forms in the building. Similarly it is written, *They are accounted by Him as nought and ‘tohu,’*⁴⁰ as *tohu* comes after nothingness and there is nothing yet in it.
So the Rabbis have also said in Sefer Yetzirah:⁴¹ “He created substance from *tohu*, and made that which was nothing something.”
They have furthermore said in the Midrash of Rabbi Nechunya ben Hakanah:⁴² “Rabbi Berachyah said: ‘What is the meaning of the verse, *And the earth was ‘tohu’ (without form) ‘vavohu’* (*and void*)? What is the meaning of the word “was?” It had already been *tohu*. And what is *tohu*? It is a thing which astonishes people. It was then turned into *bohu*. And what is *bohu*? It is a thing which has substance, as it is written, [*bohu* is a composite of the two words] ‘*bo hu*’ (in it there is substance).’”

footnotes:
³² According to Rashi in Verse 6 (also 2:4), the sun, etc., was also created on the first day.
³³ Isaiah 46:10. Here the word reshith
³⁴ Thus reading: Bereshith kol
²⁷ Deuteronomy 33:21. Reference here is to Moses who took the territory of Kings Sihon and Og as he knew that his grave was to be therein. (See Rashi, ibid.
³⁵ Such is also the theory of Rambam: “All things on earth have one common substance; the heavens and the things in them have one substance different from the first” (Moreh Nebuchim II, 26).
³⁶ Kiddushin 40b.
³⁷ Exodus 18:18.
³⁸ Isaiah 34:11. “The stones,” which are forms in the building (as explained later on by Ramban), thus constitute substance as expressed in the Hebrew bohu
³⁹ Psalms 27:14.
⁴⁰ Isaiah 40:17.
⁴¹ 2:6. Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Creation) is one of the earliest Hebrew books of the Cabala tradition. (See introduction to Bereshith, Note 56.) Some of the profoundest mystic commentaries have been written on this book. See my Hebrew work, Kithvei Haramban, Vol. 2, pp. 451-461.
⁴² Called also Sefer Habahir (Book of the Bright Light), 2. This book too is a classic in the mystic teachings of the Cabala. It was written in the style and manner of the Midrashim.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:1:4
[Ramban on Genesis 1:1:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:1:4)

וְאָמַר **אֱלֹהִים** בַּעַל הַכֹּחוֹת כֻּלָּם, כִּי הַמִּלָּה עִקָּרָהּ "אֵל", שֶׁהוּא כֹּחַ, וְהִיא מִלָּה מֻרְכֶּבֶת, "אֵל הֵם", כְּאִלּוּ "אֵל" סָמוּךְ, "וְהֵם" יִרְמֹז לְכָל שְׁאָר הַכּוֹחוֹת; כְּלוֹמַר, כֹּחַ הַכּוֹחוֹת כֻּלָּם. וְעוֹד יִתְבָּאֵר סוֹד בָּזֶה. אִם כֵּן יִהְיֶה פְּשַׁט הַכְּתוּבִים עַל נָכוֹן, מַשְׁמָעוּתוֹ, בַּתְּחִלָּה "בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם", כִּי הוֹצִיא חֹמֶר שֶׁלָּהֶם מֵאַיִן, "וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ", שֶׁהוֹצִיא הַחֹמֶר שֶׁלָּהּ מֵאַיִן. "וְהָאָרֶץ" תִּכְלֹל אַרְבַּע הַיְּסוֹדוֹת כֻּלָּם, כְּמוֹ "וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם" (בראשית ב':א'), שֶׁתִּכְלֹל כָּל הַכַּדּוּר הַתַּחְתּוֹן. וְכֵן "הַלְלוּ אֶת ה' מִן הָאָרֶץ תַּנִּינִים וְכָל תְּהֹמוֹת" (תהלים קמח ז), וְזוּלָתָם רַבִּים. וְהִנֵּה בַּבְּרִיאָה הַזֹּאת, שֶׁהִיא כִּנְקֻדָּה קְטַנָּה דַּקָּה וְאֵין בָּהּ מַמָּשׁ, נִבְרְאוּ כָּל הַנִּבְרָאִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ.
וּמִלַּת **אֵת**, כְּמוֹ עֶצֶם הַדָּבָר. וְדָרְשׁוּ בָּהּ שֶׁהִיא לְעוֹלָם לְרַבּוֹת, כִּי הִיא נִגְזְרָה מִן "אָתָה בֹקֶר וְגַם לָיְלָה" (ישעיהו כא יב). וְכֵן אָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ (ברשית רבה פרשה א): "אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם", לְרַבּוֹת חַמָּה וּלְבָנָה כּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת; "וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ", לְרַבּוֹת הָאִילָנוֹת וּדְשָׁאִים וְגַן עֵדֶן. וְאֵלּוּ כְּלַל כָּל הַנִּבְרָאִים בַּעַל הַגּוּף. וְאַחַר שֶׁאָמַר כִּי בַּתְּחִלָּה – בְּמַאֲמָר אֶחָד בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם, חָזַר וּפֵרֵשׁ, כִּי הָאָרֶץ אַחַר הַבְּרִיאָה הַזּוֹ הָיְתָה "תֹּהוּ", כְּלוֹמַר, חֹמֶר אֵין בּוֹ מַמָּשׁ; וְהָיְתָה "בֹּהוּ", כִּי הִלְבִּישׁ אוֹתָהּ צוּרָה. וּפֵרֵשׁ שֶׁבְּצוּרָה הַזּוֹ צוּרַת ד' יְסוֹדוֹת, שֶׁהֵם הָאֵשׁ וְהַמַּיִם וְהֶעָפָר וְהָאֲוִיר, וּמִלַּת "הָאָרֶץ" תִּכְלֹל אַרְבַּעַת אֵלֶּה. וְהָאֵשׁ נִקְרֵאת "חֹשֶׁךְ", מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהָאֵשׁ הַיְּסוֹדִית חֲשׁוּכָה; וְאִלּוּ הָיְתָה אֲדֻמָּה, הָיְתָה מַאֲדִימָה לָנוּ הַלַּיְלָה. וְהַמַּיִם שֶׁנִּגְבַּל בָּהֶם הֶעָפָר יִקָּרֵא "תְּהוֹם", וְלָכֵן יִקָּרְאוּ מֵי הַיָּם "תְּהֹמוֹת", כְּדִכְתִיב (שמות טו ה): "תְּהֹמֹת יְכַסְיֻמוּ"; "קָפְאוּ תְּהֹמֹת" (שם ח); "תְּהוֹם יְסֹבְבֵנִי" (יונה ב ו). וְיִקָּרֵא קַרְקַע הַיָּם "תְּהוֹם": "וַיִּגְעַר בְּיַם סוּף וַיֶּחֱרָב וַיּוֹלִיכֵם בַּתְּהֹמוֹת כַּמִּדְבָּר" (תהלים קו ט); "מוֹלִיכָם בַּתְּהֹמוֹת כַּסּוּס בַּמִּדְבָּר" (ישעיהו סג יג). וְהָאֲוִיר יִקָּרֵא "רוּחַ". וּכְבָר נוֹדַע כִּי הַיְּסוֹדוֹת הָאַרְבָּעָה – מִקְשָׁה אַחַת, וְהָעַמּוּד שֶׁלָּהּ הוּא עִגּוּל הָאָרֶץ. וְהַמַּיִם מַקִּיפִין עַל הָאָרֶץ, וְהָאֲוִיר מַקִּיף עַל הַמַּיִם, וְהָאֵשׁ מַקִּיף עַל הָאֲוִיר. וְאָמַר הַכָּתוּב כִּי הָאָרֶץ לָבְשָׁה צוּרָה, וְהָיָה הָאֵשׁ מַקִּיף לְמַעְלָה עַל הַמַּיִם וְהֶעָפָר הַמְעֹרָבִים, וְהָרוּחַ מְנַשֶּׁבֶת וְתִכָּנֵס בַּחֹשֶׁךְ וּתְרַחֵף עַל הַמַּיִם. וְיֵרָאֶה לִי שֶׁהַנְּקֻדָּה הַזֹּאת, בְּלָבְשָׁהּ הַצּוּרָה וְהָיְתָה בֹּהוּ, הִיא שֶׁהַחֲכָמִים קוֹרִין אוֹתָהּ "אֶבֶן שְׁתִיָּה" (יומא נד ב) שֶׁמִּמֶּנָּה נִשְׁתַּת הָעוֹלָם. וְהִנֵּה שִׁעוּר הַכְּתוּבִים: בַּתְּחִלָּה בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים מֵאַיִן אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וּבָרָא מֵאַיִן אֶת הָאָרֶץ, וְהָאָרֶץ בְּהִבָּרְאָהּ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וְהָיְתָה בֹהוּ, וּבָהֶם חֹשֶׁךְ וּמַיִם וְעָפָר, וְרוּחַ נוֹשֶׁבֶת עַל הַמַּיִם. וְהִנֵּה הַכֹּל נִבְרָא וְנַעֲשָׂה. וְסָמַךְ "הָרוּחַ" לְ"אֱלֹהִים", בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁהִיא דַּקָּה מִכֻּלָּם, וּלְמַעְלָה מֵהֶם, רַק שֶׁהִיא מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ שֶׁל הקב"ה. וְאִם תְּבַקֵּשׁ בְּרִיאָה לַמַּלְאָכִים שֶׁאֵינָם גּוּף, לֹא נִתְפָּרֵשׁ זֶה בַּתּוֹרָה. וְדָרְשׁוּ בָּהֶם שֶׁנִּבְרְאוּ בְּיוֹם שֵׁנִי, שֶׁלֹּא תֹּאמַר שֶׁסִּיְּעוּ בִּבְרִיאַת הָעוֹלָם. אֲבָל אִם תִּזְכֶּה וְתָבִין סוֹד מִלַּת בְּרֵאשִׁית, וְלָמָּה לֹא הִקְדִּים לוֹמַר "אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא בְּרֵאשִׁית", תֵּדַע כִּי עַל דֶּרֶךְ הָאֱמֶת – הַכָּתוּב יַגִּיד בַּתַּחְתּוֹנִים וְיִרְמֹז בָּעֶלְיוֹנִים. וּמִילַת בְּרֵאשִׁית תִּרְמֹז בַּחָכְמָה, שֶׁהִיא רֵאשִׁית הָרָאשִׁים, כַּאֲשֶׁר הִזְכַּרְתִּי. וּלְכָךְ תִּרְגְּמוּ בְּתַרְגּוּם יְרוּשַׁלְמִי "בְּחָכְמְתָא", וְהַמִּילָה מֻכְתֶּרֶת בְּכֶתֶר בֵּי"ת.

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND ‘ELOKIM’ (G-D) SAID. The word *Elokim* means “the Master of all forces,” for the root of the word is *e-il*, meaning force, and the word *Elokim* is a composite consisting of the words *e-il heim*, as if the word *e-il* is in a construct state, and *heim*, [literally] “they,” alludes to all other forces. Thus *Elokim* means “the Force of all forces.” A secret will yet be disclosed in connection with this.⁴³
If so, the simple correct explanation of the verse is as follows: *In the beginning*⁴⁴ is not in a construct state. This is contrary to Rashi, as explained above. *G-d created the heavens* means He brought forth their matter from nothing; *and the earth* means that He brought forth its matter from nothing. *And the earth*, includes all the four elements,⁴⁵ [not merely the land] as in the verse, *And the heaven and the earth were finished*,⁴⁶ which includes the entire lower sphere, and in *Praise the Eternal from the earth, ye sea-monsters, and all deeps*,⁴⁷ and as in many other verses. Now with this creation, which was like a very small point having no substance, everything in the heavens and on the earth was created. The word *eth* —[*eth hashamayim ve’eth ha’aretz*] — is like “the essence of a thing.” The Sages have always set it forth as serving to include,⁴⁸ since it is derived from the expression, *The morning ‘atha’ (cometh), and also the night*.⁴⁹ And so did our Rabbis say:⁵⁰ “*‘Eth hashamayim (the heavens)’ — eth* includes the sun, moon, stars and constellations. *‘Ve’eth ha’aretz (and the earth)’ — ve’eth* includes the trees, herbs, and the Garden of Eden.” These include all created things which are corporeal.
Now after having said that with one command G-d created at first the heavens and the earth and all their hosts, Scripture returns and explains that the earth after this creation was *tohu*, that is, matter without substance. It became *bohu* when He clothed it with form. Then it [Scripture] explains that in this form was included the form of the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. The word *ha’aretz* (the earth) includes these four elements. In this verse, the element of fire is called “darkness”⁵¹. So also explained in the Moreh Nebuchim, II:30: “By *Choshech* the element fire is meant, nothing else.” Ramban’s reasoning on this point is also found there. because the elemental fire is dark. Were it red, it would redden the night for us. The element of water with which the dust was kneaded is here called “deep.”⁵¹. So also explained in the Moreh Nebuchim, II:30: “By *Choshech* the element fire is meant, nothing else.” Ramban’s reasoning on this point is also found there. This is why the waters of the oceans are called “the deeps,” as it is written, *The deeps cover them;*⁵² *The deeps were congealed;*⁵³, 8. *The deep was round about me*.⁵⁴ The bottom of the ocean is also referred to as “deep:” *And He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up, and He led them through the depths, as a wilderness;*⁵⁵ *He led them through the deep as a horse in the wilderness*.⁵⁶ And the element air is here called “spirit.”⁵⁷.
Now it is already known that the four elements fill up the whole space with matter.⁵⁸ That which stands still is the sphere of earth. The waters surround the earth, the air encompasses the waters, and the fire envelopes the air.⁵⁹ It is to be noted that Ramban follows Yehudah al Charizi’s translation of Rambam’s philosophic work and not that of Shmuel ibn Tibbon. See my Hebrew work, The Life of Ramban, pp. 23-24, on the far-reaching significance of this point. Scripture thus states that the earth took on form, and the fire above enveloped the intermingled waters and dust, and the wind blew and rose in the darkness and hovered over the waters.
It appears to me that this [primeval] point, [which G-d created out of absolute nought], which took on form and became *bohu*, is what the Sages call:⁶⁰ “‘The rock of foundation’ from which the world was founded.”
The purport of the verses is thus: In the beginning G-d created the heavens from nought, and He created the earth from nought. The earth, when created, was *tohu* and then it became *bohu*, and in these there were “darkness” [i.e., fire, as explained above], water, dust and the wind blowing upon the water. Thus everything was created and made. The reason why *ruach* (wind) is attached to the name of G-d [as it says, *and the spirit of God*] is that it is the least substantial of all elements⁶¹ and is above them, hovering upon the face of the waters only by command of the Holy One, blessed be He.
In case you seek information concerning the creation of the incorporeal angels, you will not find it explained in the Torah. The Sages, however, have explained concerning them that they were created on the second day, so that you should not say that they assisted in the creation of the world.⁶² But if you will merit and understand the secret of the word *bereshith* and why Scripture does not begin by saying, “G-d created in the beginning,” you will know that, in the way of truth,⁶³ Scripture tells about the lower creations and alludes to the higher ones and that the word *bereshith* refers covertly to the Emanation called Wisdom, which is the head of all beginnings, as I have mentioned. This is why they translated *bereshith* in the Jerusalem Targum to mean “in wisdom,” and the word is adorned in the Torah with a crown on the letter *beth*.⁶⁴ hints at the *Kether* (Crown) above, from which all emanations issue. It is also referred to as *Ein Sof* (the Infinite). See my Hebrew commentary, p. 15.

footnotes:
⁴³ See Ramban, Exodus 20:3.
⁴⁴ Ramban thus indicates his opinion that the word bereshith
⁴⁵ Fire, wind, water, and earth.
⁴⁶ Genesis 2:1.
⁴⁷ Psalms 148:7.
⁴⁸ Pesachim 22b.
⁴⁹ Isaiah 21:12.
⁵⁰ Bereshith Rabbah 1:19.
⁵¹ And darkness was upon the face of the deep
⁵¹ And darkness was upon the face of the deep
⁵² Exodus 15:15.
⁵³ Ibid.
⁵⁴ Jonah 2:6.
⁵⁵ Psalms 106:9.
⁵⁶ Isaiah 63:13.
⁵⁷ And the spirit of G-d hovered over the face of the waters
⁵⁸ “This sphere in its totality is composed of the celestial orbs, the four elements and their combinations; there is no vacuum whatever therein, but the whole space is filled up with matter.” (Guide of the Perplexed, Friedlander’s translation, I, 72.)
⁵⁹ From the language of Rambam, ibid.
⁶⁰ Yoma 54b. This “foundation rock” is the stone on which the Ark of the Covenant rested in the Holy of Holies in King Solomon’s Temple.
⁶¹ Although fire is thinner than wind, since the element of fire is alluded to in the verse by the word “darkness,” as explained above, it would not be fitting to attach it to the name of G—d. (Bachya).
⁶² Bereshith Rabbah 3:11.
⁶³ A reference to the true wisdom of the Cabala which enables one to grasp the mysteries of the Torah.
⁶⁴ The adornment on the top of the letter beth


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:3:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:3:1)

**וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר** מִילַת אֲמִירָה בְּכָאן לְהוֹרוֹת עַל הַחֵפֶץ, כְּדֶרֶךְ "מַה תֹּאמַר נַפְשְׁךָ וְאֶעֱשֶׂה לָּךְ" (שמואל א כ ד), מָה תִּרְצֶה וְתַחְפֹּץ, וְכֵן "וּתְהִי אִשָּׁה לְבֶן אֲדֹנֶיךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר ה'" (בראשית כ"ד:נ"א), כַּאֲשֶׁר רָצָה; כִּי כֵן הוּא הָרָצוֹן לְפָנָיו. אוֹ הוּא כְּגוֹן מַחְשָׁבָה, כְּמוֹ "הָאֹמְרָה בִּלְבָבָהּ" (ישעיהו מז ח); "וְאָמְרוּ אַלֻּפֵי יְהוּדָה בְּלִבָּם" (זכריה יב ה). וְהָעִנְיָן, לוֹמַר שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה בְּעָמָל. וְכָךְ קָרְאוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ לָזֶה "מַחְשָׁבָה"; אָמְרוּ: מַחְשָׁבָה – בַּיּוֹם; הַמַּעֲשֶׂה – עִם דִּמְדּוּמֵי חַמָּה. וְהוּא לְהוֹרוֹת עַל דָּבָר מְחֻשָּׁב שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ טַעַם, לֹא חֵפֶץ פָּשׁוּט בִּלְבַד. וּמִילַת הֲוָיָה – מוֹרֶה עַל מַעֲשֵׂה הַזְּמַן הָעוֹמֵד, כְּמוֹ "וְאַתָּה הֹוֶה לָהֶם לְמֶלֶךְ" (נחמיה ו ו). וְלָכֵן אָמַר הַכָּתוּב, כִּי כְּשֶׁבָּרָא חֹמֶר הַשָּׁמַיִם – אָמַר שֶׁיִּהְיֶה מִן הַחֹמֶר הַהוּא דָּבָר מַזְהִיר, קְרָאוֹ אוֹר.

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D SAID, ‘LET THERE BE LIGHT.’ The word “saying” here indicates Will, as in the verse, *What dost thy soul say, that I should do it for thee?*⁶⁵ which means, “What do you want and desire?” Similarly, *And let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Eternal hath spoken*⁶⁶ means, “…as He hath willed, for such is the Will before Him.” Or, it may be [that the word “saying” here means] “thinking,” as in the verses, *Thou sayest in thy heart;*⁶⁷ *And the chiefs of Judah shall say in their heart*.⁶⁸ The purport is to state that the creation was not done with toil. Our Rabbis have also called this “thought.” Thus they have said:⁶⁹ “The thought [concerning what was to be created on a particular day] was during the day; the deed itself was at sunset.” This teaches that creation was thought out, that there is a reason for everything created, that creation was not a simple manifestation of mere Will alone.
The word “being” [*Let there ‘be’*] indicates a deed for the present time,⁷⁰, since that light did not remain forever in its original state. just as: *And thou wouldst be their king*⁷¹ [meaning: their king from this moment on]. Therefore Scripture says that when He created the substance of the heavens, He said that from that substance there should come forth a shining matter called “light.”

footnotes:
⁶⁵ I Samuel 20:4.
⁶⁶ Genesis 24:51.
⁶⁷ Isaiah 47:8.
⁶⁸ Zechariah 12:5.
⁶⁹ Bereshith Rabbah 12:14.
⁷⁰ Thus unlike Rashi and R’dak (Rabbi David Kimchi), who hold that the reference here is to the creation of the luminaries, such as the sun, moon, etc., which were not suspended in the firmament until the fourth day (see Rashi, Verse 14), Ramban explains that the light of the first day was of a special substance; hence Scripture does not say, And it was so
⁷¹ Nehemiah 6:6.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:3:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:3:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:3:2)

**וַיְהִי אוֹר** לֹא אָמַר "וַיְהִי־‎כֵן", כָּאָמוּר בִּשְׁאָר הַיָּמִים, לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא עָמַד הָאוֹר בַּתְּכוּנָה הַזֹּאת כָּל הַיָּמִים כִּשְׁאָר מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית. וְיֵשׁ לְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ בָּזֶה מִדְרָשׁ בְּסוֹד נֶעֱלָם. וְדַע, כִּי הַיָּמִים הַנִּזְכָּרִים בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית הָיוּ בִּבְרִיאַת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ יָמִים מַמָּשׁ, מְחֻבָּרִים מִשָּׁעוֹת וּרְגָעִים, וְהָיוּ שִׁשָּׁה כְּשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה, כִּפְשׁוּטוֹ שֶׁל מִקְרָא. וּבִפְנִימִיּוּת הָעִנְיָן יִקָּרְאוּ "יָמִים" הַסְּפִירוֹת הָאֲצוּלוֹת מֵעֶלְיוֹן, כִּי כָל מַאֲמָר פּוֹעֵל הֲוָיָה תִּקָּרֵא "יוֹם". וְהָיוּ שִׁשָּׁה, כִּי לַה' הַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַגְּבוּרָה. וְהַמַּאֲמָרִים עֲשָׂרָה, כִּי הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת אֵין שֵׁם "יוֹם" נִתְפָּס בָּהֶם. וְהַפֵּרוּשׁ בְּסִדּוּר הַכְּתוּבִים בָּזֶה נִשְׂגָּב וְנֶעֱלָם, וְדַעְתֵּנוּ בּוֹ פָּחוֹת מִטִּפָּה מִן הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל.

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND THERE WAS LIGHT. The verse does not say, “And it was so,” as it is said on other days, because the light did not remain in this state all the time, as did the other creations. Concerning this matter, our Rabbis have an interpretation with a profound secret.⁷²
Know that the term “day” as used in the story of the creation was, in the case of the creation of heaven and earth, a real day, composed of hours and seconds, and there were six days like the six days of the workweek, as is the plain meaning of the verse. In the profounder sense, the Emanations issuing from the Most High are called “days,” for every Divine Saying⁷³, found in the chapter of Creation. which evoked an existence is called “day.” These were six, for *Unto G-d there is the greatness, and the power*, etc.⁷⁴ The Sayings,⁷³, found in the chapter of Creation. however, are ten because regarding the first three Emanations, the term “day” does not apply at all. The explanation of the order of the verses in terms of this profound interpretation is sublime and recondite. Our knowledge of it is less than that of a drop from the vast ocean.

footnotes:
⁷² Ramban’s hint here is to the Sefer Habahir, 190. See my Hebrew commentary pp. 15—16.
⁷³ The tenfold expression, And G-d said
⁷⁴ I Chronicles 29:11.
⁷³ The tenfold expression, And G-d said


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:4:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:4:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:4:1)

**וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאוֹר כִּי טוֹב** כָּתַב רַבֵּינוּ שְׁלֹמֹה: אַף בָּזֶה אָנוּ צְרִיכִין לְדִבְרֵי אַגָּדָה: רָאָה שֶׁאֵינוֹ רָאוּי לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בּוֹ רְשָׁעִים, וְהִבְדִּילוֹ לַצַּדִּיקִים לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא. וּלְפִי פְּשׁוּטוֹ כָּךְ פָּרְשֵׁהוּ: רָאָהוּ כִּי טוֹב, וְאֵין נָאֶה לוֹ וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בְּעִרְבּוּבְיָא, וְקָבַע לָזֶה תְּחוּמוֹ בַּיּוֹם וְלָזֶה תְחוּמוֹ בַּלַּיְלָה. וְרַבִּי אַבְרָהָם אָמַר (אבן עזרא על בראשית א':ד'): וַיַּרְא – כְּמוֹ "וְרָאִיתִי אָנִי" (קהלת ב יג), וְהִיא בְּמַחְשֶׁבֶת הַלֵּב. וְטַעַם וַיַּבְדֵּל – בִּקְרִיאַת הַשֵּׁמוֹת. וְאֵין דִּבְרֵי שְׁנֵיהֶם נְכוֹנִים: שֶׁאִם כֵּן, יֵרָאֶה כְּעִנְיַן הַמְלָכָה וְעֵצָה חֲדָשָׁה, שֶׁיֹּאמַר, כִּי אַחֲרֵי שֶׁאָמַר אֱלֹהִים: "יְהִי אוֹר", וְהָיָה אוֹר, רָאָה אֹתוֹ כִּי טוֹב הוּא, וְלָכֵן הִבְדִּיל בֵּינוֹ וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ, כָּעִנְיָן בָּאָדָם שֶׁלֹּא יֵדַע טִיבוֹ שֶׁל דָּבָר עַד הֱיוֹתוֹ. אֲבָל הַסֵּדֶר בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית, כִּי הוֹצָאַת הַדְּבָרִים אֶל הַפֹּעַל יִקָּרֵא "אֲמִירָה": "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר" (כאן); "וַיֹּאמֶר... יְהִי רָקִיעַ" (בראשית א':ו'); "וַיֹּאמֶר... תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ" (בראשית א':י"א).. וְקִיּוּמָם יִקָּרֵא "רְאִיָּה", כְּעִנְיָן "וְרָאִיתִי אָנִי" דְּקֹהֶלֶת (ב יג); וְכֵן "וַתֵּרֶא הָאִשָּׁה כִּי טוֹב הָעֵץ לְמַאֲכָל" (בראשית ג':ו'). וְהוּא כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁאָמְרוּ (כתובות קט א): "רוֹאֶה אֲנִי אֶת דִּבְרֵי אַדְמוֹן", וְכָמוֹהוּ (שמואל ב טו כז): "וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶל צָדוֹק הַכֹּהֵן הֲרוֹאֶה אַתָּה שֻׁבָה הָעִיר בְּשָׁלוֹם". וְהָעִנְיָן, לְהוֹרוֹת כִּי עֲמִידָתָם בְּחֶפְצוֹ, וְאִם הַחֵפֶץ יִתְפָּרֵד רֶגַע מֵהֶם – יִהְיוּ לְאַיִן. וְכַאֲשֶׁר אָמַר בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יוֹם וָיוֹם: "וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֹב", וּבַשִּׁשִּׁי כַּאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁלַם הַכֹּל: "וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וְהִנֵּה טוֹב מְאֹד" (בראשית א':ל"א), כֵּן אָמַר בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן בִּהְיוֹת הָאוֹר: וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֹב, שֶׁרָצָה בְּקִיּוּמוֹ לָעַד. וְהוֹסִיף בְּכָאן אֶת הָאוֹר. שֶׁאִלּוּ אָמַר סְתָם: וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֹב, הָיָה חוֹזֵר עַל בְּרִיאַת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ; וְלֹא גָּזַר בָּהֶן עֲדַיִן הַקִּיּוּם, כִּי לֹא עָמְדוּ כָּכָה, אֲבָל מִן הַחֹמֶר הַנִּבְרָא בָּרִאשׁוֹן – נַעֲשָׂה בַּשֵּׁנִי רָקִיעַ, וּבַשְּׁלִישִׁי נִפְרְדוּ הַמַּיִם וְהֶעָפָר וְנַעֲשֵׂית הַיַּבָּשָׁה שֶׁקְּרָאָהּ "אֶרֶץ", וְאָז גָּזַר בָּהֶם הַקִּיּוּם וְאָמַר בָּהֶם: "וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֹב".

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D SAW THE LIGHT, THAT IT WAS GOOD. Rabbi Shlomo [Rashi] wrote: “Here too⁷⁵ (see above). The difficulty here in the text is twofold: (a) It is first written, *and darkness was upon the face of the deep*, and then G—d said, *Let there be light*. Thus there already was a separation between light and darkness. Why then does Scripture continue by stating, *and G—d divided the light from the darkness?* (b) Concerning all other acts of creation, the expression “And G—d saw that it was good” is found at the completion of the act of creation, while here this phrase is written (in the beginning of Verse 4) *before* the completion. The Agadah, which Rashi quotes, answers: (a) *vayavdel* means here that He set apart the light for the righteous in the world to come. (b) *ki tov* (that it was good) could not have been written *after* the separation of the light for the righteous from the ordinary light, since the remaining light was no longer perfect. Therefore, *ki tov* is mentioned *before* the setting aside of the light. we must depend on the words of the homiletic Agadah G-d saw that the wicked were unworthy of using the light, and so He set it aside for the righteous in the World to Come. But according to the plain meaning of the verse, explain it thus: He saw that the light was good, and that it was not seemly for it and the darkness to function in a confused manner. He therefore assigned the one’s sphere of activity to the daytime and the one’s sphere of activity to the nighttime.”
And Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra said: “The word *vayar (and He saw)* has the same meaning here as in *Vera’iti ani (And I saw)*,⁷⁶ which refers to the thought in the heart. *And He divided* refers to His giving them different names.”⁷⁷
But the words of both Rashi and Ibn Ezra are incorrect for if they were, it would appear that there was on the part of G-d a change of mind and new counsel, as if to say that after G-d said, *‘Let there be light’ and there was light*, He saw that it was good, and therefore He divided between it and darkness just as a human being who does not know the nature of something until it comes into existence! Rather, the order followed in the process of creation is that the bringing forth of things into actual existence is called *amirah* (saying). Thus: *And G-d said, ‘Let there be light;’ And G-d said, ‘Let there be a firmament;’*⁷⁸ *And G-d said, ‘Let the earth put forth grass.’*⁷⁹ And the permanence of things called forth into existence is called *re’iyah* (seeing), as *And I saw* in Ecclesiastes,⁸⁰ and similarly, *And the woman saw that the tree was good for food*.⁸¹ In the language of the Rabbis we also find, “I see the words of Admon.”⁸² Likewise, *And the king said unto Zadok the priest, ‘Seest thou? return into the city in peace.’*⁸³ The purport of the word “seeing” is thus to indicate that their continuing existence is at His Will, and if that Will should for a second depart from them, they will turn into nought. Now just as Scripture says in connection with the work of each day, *And G-d saw that it was good* and on the sixth day when everything was completed it says, *And G-d saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good*,⁸⁴ so does it say on the first day when light came into existence, *And G-d saw … that it was good*, meaning He desired its existence forever. The verse adds “the light” [*And G-d saw ‘the light’ that it was good*], because had it just said, “And G-d saw that it was good,” it would have referred to the creation of the heaven and the earth, and at that time He had not yet decreed for them permanence, as they did not remain as they were. Instead, from the substance created on the first day, the firmament was made on the second day, and on the third the waters and the dust were separated and the dry land — which He called “earth” — was formed. He then decreed for them permanence, and said concerning them, *And G-d saw that it was good*.⁸⁵

footnotes:
⁷⁵ A reference to Rashi’s similar comment on the first word of the Torah — bereshith
⁷⁶ Daniel 10:7.
⁷⁷ Ibn Ezra’s opinion is thus that the division was not because it was unseemly that the light and darkness function in a confused manner, but it was for the purpose of assigning each one a separate name.
⁷⁸ Verse 6.
⁷⁹ Verse 11.
⁸⁰ 2:13.
⁸¹ Genesis 3:6.
⁸² Kethuboth 109a.
⁸³ II Samuel 15:27.
⁸⁴ Verse 31.
⁸⁵ Verse 10.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:4:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:4:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:4:2)

**וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ** אֵינֶנּוּ הַחֹשֶׁךְ הַנִּזְכָּר בַּפָּסוּק הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁהוּא הָאֵשׁ, אֲבָל הוּא אֲפִיסַת הָאוֹר; כִּי נָתַן אֱלֹהִים מִדָּה לָאוֹר, וְשֶׁיִּהְיֶה נֶעְדָּר אַחַר כֵּן עַד שׁוּבוֹ. וְאָמְרוּ קְצָת הַמְּפָרְשִׁים, כִּי הָאוֹר הַזֶּה נִבְרָא לְפָנָיו שֶׁל הקב"ה, כְּלוֹמַר בַּמַּעֲרָב, וְשִׁקְּעוֹ מִיָּד כְּדֵי מִדַּת לַיְלָה, וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן הֵאִיר כְּמִדַּת יוֹם. וְזֶה טַעַם "וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר" (בראשית א':ה'), שֶׁקֹּדֶם הָיָה לַיְלָה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ יוֹם, וּשְׁנֵיהֶם אַחֲרֵי הֲוָיַת הָאוֹר. וְאֵינֶנּוּ נָכוֹן כְּלָל, כִּי יוֹסִיפוּ עַל שֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית יוֹם קָצָר. אֲבָל יִתָּכֵן שֶׁנֹּאמַר, כִּי הָאוֹר נִבְרָא לְפָנָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְלֹא נִתְפַּשֵּׁט בַּיְּסוֹדוֹת הַנִּזְכָּרִים. וְהִבְדִּיל בֵּינוֹ וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ, שֶׁנָּתַן לִשְׁנֵיהֶם מִדָּה. וְעָמַד לְפָנָיו כְּמִדַּת לַיְלָה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ הִזְרִיחַ אוֹתוֹ עַל הַיְּסוֹדוֹת. וְהִנֵּה קָדַם הָעֶרֶב לַבֹּקֶר. וְעוֹד יִתָּכֵן שֶׁנֹּאמַר, כִּי מִשֶּׁיָּצְאוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ מִן הָאֶפֶס אֶל הַיֵּשׁ הַנִּזְכָּר בַּפָּסוּק הָרִאשׁוֹן, נִהְיָה זְמַן. כִּי אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁזְּמַנֵּינוּ בִּרְגָעִים וְשָׁעוֹת, שֶׁהֵם בָּאוֹר וּבַחֹשֶׁךְ, מִשֶּׁיִּהְיֶה יֵשׁ – יִתָּפֵשׂ בּוֹ זְמַן. וְאִם כֵּן, נִבְרְאוּ שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ, וְעָמְדוּ כֵן כְּמִדַּת לַיְלָה מִבְּלִי אוֹר, וְאָמַר "יְהִי אוֹר", וַיְהִי אוֹר, וְגָזַר עָלָיו שֶׁיַּעֲמֹד כְּמִדַּת הָרִאשׁוֹן, וְאַחַר כָּךְ יֵעָדֵר מִן הַיְּסוֹדוֹת; "וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר".

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D DIVIDED THE LIGHT FROM THE DARKNESS. This is not “the darkness” mentioned in the first verse⁸⁶ which, as explained above, refers to the element of fire; rather, the “darkness” mentioned here means the absence of light, since G-d gave a length of time to the light and decreed that it be absent afterwards until it returns.
Now some commentators⁸⁷ (2:20, Hirschfeld’s translation). See also my Hebrew commentary, 2d edition, p. 547, that Ramban may also refer here to Rabbeinu Zerachyah Halevi, who was of a similar opinion. have said that this light was created in front of the Holy One, blessed be He, that is to say, in the west,⁸⁸ and He immediately caused it to disappear for the period of the night, and afterwards it gave light for the period of the day. This is the reason for the verse, *And there was evening and there was morning*, since the night came first and afterwards the day, and both of them came after the existence of the light.
But this is not correct at all, for in this way they might add a short day to the six days of creation.⁸⁹ the creation of light, and light was created at the time of sunset, it follows that there was a short day (that is, light without darkness) preceding the *first* day. Thus a short day is added to the six days of creation. It is possible, however, to say that the light was created in front of Him, blessed be He, but did not extend over the four elements mentioned [in the second verse, as explained above] and then He divided between it and the darkness by assigning to each a certain period. Light now remained before Him for the length of night, and then in the morning, He caused the light to shine upon the elements. In this way night preceded day.
It is further possible that we should say that when the heavens and the earth came forth from nought into existence, as mentioned in the first verse, time came into being, for although our time consisting of minutes and hours is measured in light and darkness, yet from the moment some substance came into existence time was already part of it. If so, after the heavens and the earth were created they so remained for the length of a night without light. Then He said, *‘Let there be light,’ and there was light*, and He decreed that it remain the same period as the first, and that after that it be absent from the elements. Thus, *there was evening, and there was morning*.

footnotes:
⁸⁶ “First verse.” It is actually mentioned in Verse 2. However, in view of Ramban’s interpretation above that the first two verses tell of everything else to come, he refers to Verse 2 as “the first verse.”
⁸⁷ Reference here is to Yehuda Halevi who, in his philosophic work Al Khazari, sets forth this theory: The first light was created at the time of sunset, and it was an illumination which soon passed away, leaving the world in darkness. The established order was then that night preceded day, as it is written, It was evening and it was morning
⁸⁸ In accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Abahu who says, “The Divine Presence is in the West” (Baba Bathra 25a).
⁸⁹ Since night and day were after


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:5:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:5:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:5:1)

**וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָאוֹר יוֹם** יֹאמַר כִּי נִבְרָא הַזְּמַן וְעָשָׂה מִדַּת יוֹם וּמִדַּת לַיְלָה. וְעִנְיַן "וַיִּקְרָא", מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהָאָדָם קָרָא הַשֵּׁמוֹת, אָמַר בְּאֵלּוּ שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ קֹדֶם הֱיוֹתוֹ כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים קָרָא לָהֶם שֵׁמוֹת, וְזֶה דַּעַת רַבִּי אַבְרָהָם. וְהַנָּכוֹן שֶׁעִנְיַן "קְרִיאָה" בְּאֵלּוּ בְּכָאן הִיא הַהַבְדָּלָה הַמֻּגְבֶּלֶת בָּהֶם כְּשֶׁלָּבְשׁוּ צוּרָתָם, וְכָךְ אָמְרוּ (ב"ר ג ו) יוֹם יְהֵא תְּחוּמָךְ וְלַיְלָה יְהֵא תְּחוּמָךְ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D CALLED THE LIGHT DAY. The verse states that time was created, and G-d made the length of the day and the length of the night.
The purport of the word *vayikra (And He called)* is [to indicate that] since Adam later gave names [to all the beasts, the fowl, etc.],⁹⁰ it states that those things which were made before his existence were given names by G-d. This is the opinion of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra.⁹¹
The correct interpretation is that the matter of calling a name here indicates the division which bounded them when they assumed their form. Thus did the Rabbis say:⁹² “[G-d said to the light,] ‘The day shall be your boundary,’ [and to darkness He said,] ‘The night shall be your boundary.’”

footnotes:
⁹⁰ Further,2:20.
⁹¹ In Verse 8.
⁹² Bereshith Rabbah 3:7.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:5:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:5:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:5:2)

**וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם אֶחָד** הָיָה עֶרֶב וְהָיָה בֹּקֶר שֶׁל יוֹם אֶחָד. וְיִקָּרֵא תְּחִלַּת הַלַּיְלָה "עֶרֶב" בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁיִּתְעָרְבוּ בּוֹ הַצּוּרוֹת, וּתְחִלַּת הַיּוֹם "בֹּקֶר" שֶׁיְּבַקֵּר אָדָם בֵּינוֹתָם, כָּךְ פֵּרֵשׂ רַבִּי אַבְרָהָם (אבן עזרא על בראשית א':ה'). וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ הַפְּשָׁט לֹא יִתָּכֵן לוֹמַר "יוֹם רִאשׁוֹן" בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁעֲדַיִן לֹא נַעֲשָׂה הַשֵּׁנִי, כִּי הָרִאשׁוֹן קוֹדֵם לַשֵּׁנִי בְּמִנְיָן אוֹ בְּמַעֲלָה, אֲבָל שְׁנֵיהֶם נִמְצָאִים, וְהָ"אֶחָד" לֹא יוֹרֶה עַל שֵׁנִי. וְיֵשׁ מְפָרְשִׁים (מורה נבוכים ב ל) כִּי זֶה רֶמֶז לִתְנוּעַת הַגַּלְגַּל עַל פְּנֵי כָּל הָאָרֶץ בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע שָׁעוֹת, שֶׁכָּל רֶגַע מֵהֶם בֹּקֶר בִּמְקוֹמוֹת מִשְׁתַּנִּים וְעֶרֶב בִּמְקוֹמוֹת שֶׁכְּנֶגְדָּם. וְאִם כֵּן יִרְמֹז לַאֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה בָּרָקִיעַ אַחֲרֵי הִנָּתֵן הַמְּאוֹרוֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND THERE WAS EVENING AND THERE WAS MORNING. There was evening and there was morning of one day. The beginning of the night is called *erev* [which also means “mingling”] because shapes of things appear confused in it, and the beginning of the day is called *boker* [which also means “examining”] because then a man can distinguish between various forms. This coincides with the explanation of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra.
By way of the simple explanation of Scripture, it could not have said, [*And there was evening and there was morning*] “the first day,”⁹³. See Rashi who says that according to the regular mode of expression it should have really said “the first day.” He explains, however, the expression “one day” on the basis of the Midrash: It is “because the Holy One, blessed be He, was then the Only One (the Sole Being) in His universe, since the angels were not created until the second day.” *One day* thus means “the day of the One Being.” It is this interpretation of Rashi that Ramban alludes to when he comments that according to the simple meaning of Scripture it could not have said, “the first day.” because the second had not yet been made; “the first” precedes a “second” in number or degree but both exist, whereas “one” does not connote the existence of a second.
Some scholars explain⁹⁴ that *one day* is a reference to the rotation of the sphere upon the face of the whole earth in twenty-four hours, as every moment thereof is morning in some different place and night in the opposite place.⁹⁵ thus means that the entire day consists of evening and morning occurring simultaneously in different places. If so, the verse alludes to that which will take place in the firmament after the luminaries will be placed in the firmament of the heavens.

footnotes:
⁹³ Instead, it says one day
⁹⁴ Ibn Ezra, Verse 5, and Rambam, Moreh Nebuchim, II, 30.
⁹⁵ One day


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:6:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:6:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:6:1)

**יְהִי רָקִיעַ** הַחֹמֶר הַהוֹוֶה בַּתְּחִלָּה שֶׁבְּרָאוֹ מֵאַיִן, אָמַר שֶׁיִּהְיֶה רָקִיעַ מָתוּחַ כְּאֹהֶל בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּיִם וְיִהְיֶה מַבְדִּיל בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם. וְשֶׁמָּא לָזֶה כִּוְּנוּ בְּאָמְרָם (ב"ר ד ב), רַב אָמַר לַחִים הָיוּ שָׁמַיִם בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן וּבַיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי קָרְשׁוּ, רָב אָמַר יְהִי רָקִיעַ יֶחֱזַק הָרָקִיעַ, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי סִימוֹן אָמַר יֵעָשֶׂה מַטְלִית הָרָקִיעַ, כְּמָה דְּאַתְּ אָמַר (שמות לט ג) וַיְרַקְּעוּ אֶת פַּחֵי הַזָּהָב וְגוֹ':

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
LET THERE BE A FIRMAMENT. G-d now said that the substance which had come into being first — that which He created from nought — should be a firmament, stretched as a tent in the midst of the waters, separating between waters and waters. It is possible that this is what the Rabbis intended by their saying,⁹⁶ “Rav said, ‘The heavens were in a fluid form on the first day, and on the second day they solidified.’ Rav thus said, ‘*Let there be a firmament* means let the firmament become strong.’ Rabbi Yehudah the son of Rabbi Shimon said, ‘Let the firmament become like a plate, just as you say in the verse, *And they did beat* — [*vayerak’u* contains the same root as *raki’a*, firmament] — *the gold into thin plates*.’”⁹⁷

footnotes:
⁹⁶ Bereshith Rabbah 4:1.
⁹⁷ Exodus 39:3.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:6:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:6:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:6:2)

**בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם** בְּאֶמְצַע הַמַּיִם, בֵּין מַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים לְמַיִם הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, כְּמוֹ שֶׁיֵּשׁ הֶפְרֵשׁ בֵּין הָרָקִיעַ לַמַּיִם שֶׁעַל הָאָרֶץ כָּךְ יֵשׁ הֶפְרֵשׁ בֵּין מַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים לָרָקִיעַ, הָא לָמַדְתָּ שֶׁהֵן תְּלוּיִים בְּמַאֲמַר, בְּרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ד':ג') וּכְתָבָהּ רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית א':ו'). וְזֶה מֵעִנְיַן מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית הוּא, וְאַל תְּקַוֶּה מִמֶּנִּי שֶׁאֶכְתֹּב בּוֹ דָּבָר, שֶׁהָעִנְיָן הוּא מִסִּתְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה. וְאֵין הַפְּסוּקִים צְרִיכִים לַבֵּאוּר הַזֶּה כִּי לֹא יַאֲרִיךְ הַכָּתוּב בְּעִנְיָנוֹ, וְהַפֵּרוּשׁ אָסוּר לְיוֹדְעָיו, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן אֵלֵינוּ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
IN THE MIDST OF THE WATERS. This means in the center of the waters, between the higher waters and the lower waters. For there is the same distance between the firmament and the waters upon the earth as between the higher waters and the firmament. Thus you may infer that the upper waters are suspended in space by the command of G-d. Thus it is explained in Bereshith Rabbah⁹⁸ and in Rashi’s commentary. This is part of the process of creation [which those who know it are obliged to conceal]; so do not expect me to write anything about it, as the subject is one of the mysteries of the Torah, and the verses in their plain meaning do not require such an interpretation since Scripture itself did not go into it at length, and to give the interpretation is forbidden even to those who know it, and so much the more to us.

footnotes:
⁹⁸ 4:2.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:7:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:7:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:7:1)

**וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָרָקִיעַ** לְשׁוֹן עֲשִׂיָּה בְּכָל מָקוֹם תִּקּוּן הַדָּבָר עַל מַתְכֻּנְתּוֹ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D MADE THE FIRMAMENT. The word *asi’yah* (doing) always means adjusting something to its required proportion.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:7:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:7:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:7:2)

**וַיְהִי-כֵן** הִכְתִּיב בָּרִאשׁוֹן "וַיְהִי אוֹר" אַחַר "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר", אַחַר הָאֲמִירָה פֵּרֵשׁ שֶׁיָּצָא אֶל הַפֹּעַל וְהָיָה כַּאֲשֶׁר נִגְזַר, אֲבָל בְּכָאן אַחַר אֲמִירַת "יְהִי רָקִיעַ" כָּתוּב "וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָרָקִיעַ וַיַּבְדֵּל", וְלָמָּה הוֹסִיף "וַיְהִי-כֵן". אֲבָל הוּא לוֹמַר שֶׁהָיָה כֵּן תָּמִיד כָּל יְמֵי עוֹלָם. וְרַבִּי אַבְרָהָם פֵּרֵשׁ כִּי הוּא דָּבֵק עִם הַבָּא אַחֲרָיו, כַּאֲשֶׁר הָיָה כֵּן קָרָא לָרָקִיעַ שָׁמַיִם, וְאֵינוֹ נָכוֹן. וּבִבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ד':ו') אָמְרוּ, וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָרָקִיעַ, זוֹ אֶחָד מִן הַמִּקְרָאוֹת שֶׁהִרְעִישׁ בֶּן זוֹמָא אֶת הָעוֹלָם, וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים וְכוּ', וַהֲלֹא בְּמַאֲמַר בִּדְבַר ה' שָׁמַיִם נַעֲשׂוּ (תהלים לג ו). וְאֵין הַהַרְעָשָׁה הַזּוֹ מִלְּשׁוֹן "וַיַּעַשׂ" לְבַדּוֹ, שֶׁהֲרֵי בָּרְבִיעִי וּבַשִּׁשִּׁי כָּתוּב "וַיַּעַשׂ", אֲבָל הָיָה מִזֶּה שֶׁאָמַרְתִּי, בַּעֲבוּר כִּי בִּשְׁאָר הַיָּמִים כָּתוּב אַחַר הָאֲמִירָה "וַיְהִי-כֵן" לוֹמַר שֶׁנִּהְיָה כֵן מִיָּד תֵּכֶף אַחַר הָאֲמִירָה, אֲבָל כָּאן אַחַר "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים" כָּתוּב "וַיַּעַשׂ", זוֹ הִיא קֻשְׁיָתוֹ, וְאוּלַי הָיָה לוֹ פֵּרוּשׁ נִסְתָּר לֹא רָצָה לְגַלּוֹת סוֹדוֹ, וְזֶה עִנְיַן הָרַעַשׁ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND IT WAS SO. On the first day, *And there was light* is written after *And G-d said, ‘Let there be light,’* in order to explain that after the command of G-d, it [the light] came forth into actuality and was as He decreed it to be. But here, after the command, *Let there be a firmament*, it is written, *And G-d made the firmament, and divided*, etc.; why then has Scripture added here, *And it was so?* It is to tell us that it was to be ever so, for all times.
But Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra explained that the expression *and it was so* is attached to the verse which follows, meaning *when* it was so, G-d called the firmament Heaven. That is not correct.
In Bereshith Rabbah⁹⁹ the Rabbis have said: *“And G-d made the firmament*. This is one of the verses which Ben Zoma¹⁰⁰ found difficult:¹⁰¹ *And G-d made*, etc. But was not [the world created] by command, as it is written, *By word of the Eternal were the heavens made?”*¹⁰² Now Ben Zoma’s difficulty was not only on account of the word *vaya’as (And He made)*, since on the fourth,¹⁰³ fifth,¹⁰⁴ is not found; only *vayibra (and He created)*. and sixth day,¹⁰⁵ *vaya’as* is also written. Rather, his difficulty was, as I have said, that on the other days, immediately after G-d’s command, it is written, *And it was so*, indicating that it came into being immediately after the command, but here on the second day, after it says, *And G-d said — vaya’as (And He made)* is written! This was his question. Perhaps Ben Zoma had some secret interpretation which he did not want to reveal. This is the explanation of the cause of his difficulty.

footnotes:
⁹⁹ 4:7.
¹⁰⁰ A colleague of Rabbi Akiba. He was one of the four men of his time who were deeply engaged in the interpretation of the mystical doctrine of creation. See Chagiga 14b.
¹⁰¹ Literally: “caused the world to shake.”
¹⁰² Psalms 33:6.
¹⁰³ Verse 16.
¹⁰⁴ Verse 21. On the fifth day the word vaya’as
¹⁰⁵ Verse 25.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:8:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:8:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:8:1)

**וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ שָׁמָיִם** בַּיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי קְרָאָם בַּשֵּׁם הַזֶּה כַּאֲשֶׁר הִלְבִּישׁ אוֹתָם צוּרַת רָקִיעַ, כִּי בָּרִאשׁוֹן הָיוּ שָׁמַיִם בַּבְּרִיאָה אֲבָל אֵין הַשֵּׁם נִתְפָּשׂ בָּהֶם עַד שֶׁלָּבְשׁוּ הַצּוּרָה הַזּוֹ. וּפֵרוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם הַזֶּה כְּאִלּוּ הוּא נָקוּד בְּסֶגוֹל תַּחַת הַשִּׁי"ן. כְּמִלַּת (שיר השירים א ז) "שַׁלָּמָה אֶהְיֶה כְּעֹטְיָה", כְּאִלּוּ אָמַר שָׁמַיִם הֵם שֶׁנִּרְקְעוּ וְנִמְתְּחוּ כְּאֹהֶל בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים וְהַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, הוֹדִיעַ בַּשֵּׁם הַזֶּה סוֹד יְצִירָתָם. וּבַגְּמָרָא בְּמַסֶּכֶת חֲגִיגָה (חגיגה י"ב) אָמְרוּ, מַאי שָׁמַיִם שֵׁם מַיִם, וְאִם כֵּן הוּא יֶחְסַר מֵ"ם אֶחָד לְהִתְחַבְּרוּת שְׁתֵּי אוֹתִיּוֹת שָׁווֹת כְּמִלַּת "יְרֻבַּעַל" (שופטים ו לב ועוד), וְיֹאמַר שֵׁם מַיִם, כְּלוֹמַר שֵׁם שֶׁקָּרָא לַמַּיִם בְּלָבְשָׁם צוּרָה אַחֶרֶת, וְזֶה פְּשַׁט הַכְּתוּבִים עַל הַדֶּרֶךְ הַזֶּה שֶׁכָּתַב רַשִׁ"י, וְהוּא דַּעַת רָב שֶׁהִזְכַּרְנוּ (רמב"ן על בראשית א':ו'), וִיהִי שֵׁם "הַשָּׁמַיִם" וְ"הָאָרֶץ" בַּפָּסוּק הָרִאשׁוֹן עַל הֶעָתִיד לִקְרֹא לָהֶם, כִּי לֹא יִתָּכֵן לְהוֹדִיעָם רַק בַּלָּשׁוֹן הַזֶּה. אֲבָל יוֹתֵר נָכוֹן לְפִי פְּשַׁט הַכְּתוּבִים שֶׁנֹּאמַר כִּי הַשָּׁמַיִם הַנִּזְכָּרִים בַּפָּסוּק הָרִאשׁוֹן הֵם הַשָּׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים, אֵינָם מִכְּלַל הַגַּלְגַּלִּים אֲבָל הֵם לְמַעְלָה מִן הַמֶּרְכָּבָה, כְּעִנְיַן וּדְמוּת עַל רָאשֵׁי הַחַיָּה רָקִיעַ כְּעֵין הַקֶּרַח הַנּוֹרָא נָטוּי עַל רָאשֵׁיהֶם מִלְמָעְלָה (יחזקאל א כב), וּמֵהֶם נִקְרָא הקב"ה "רוֹכֵב שָׁמַיִם" (דברים לג כו), וְלֹא סִפֵּר הַכָּתוּב בִּבְרִיאָתָם דָּבָר כַּאֲשֶׁר לֹא הִזְכִּיר הַמַּלְאָכִים וְחַיּוֹת הַמֶּרְכָּבָה וְכָל דָּבָר נִפְרָד שֶׁאֵינוֹ בַּעַל גּוּף, רַק הִזְכִּיר בַּשָּׁמַיִם שֶׁהֵם נִבְרָאִים, כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁקַּדְמוּתָם אֶפֶס, וְאָמַר בַּשֵּׁנִי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמַּיִם, כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁיִּתְהַוֶּה מִן הַמַּיִם הַנִּזְכָּרִים שֶׁהִזְכִּיר בְּרִיאָתָם דָּבָר מְרֻקָּע מַבְדִּיל בֵּינֵיהֶם, וְקָרָא גַּם לְאֵלּוּ הַכַּדּוּרִים שָׁמַיִם כְּשֵׁם הַשָּׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים, וְלָכֵן יִקְרָאֵם בַּפָּרָשָׁה (בראשית א':י"ז) "רְקִיעַ שָׁמַיִם" "וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם", לְבָאֵר שֶׁאֵינָם הַנִּזְכָּרִים בְּשֵׁם הַשָּׁמַיִם רַק הָרְקִיעִים שֶׁקְּרָאָם שָׁמַיִם. וְגַם זֶה דַּעַת רַבּוֹתֵינוּ הִזְכִּירוּהוּ בִּבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ד':ב'), אָמְרוּ, כָּל רַבָּנִין אָמְרִין לָהּ בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי חֲנַנְיָה בְּרַבִּי פִּנְחָס וְרַבִּי יַעֲקֹב בְּרַבִּי אָבִין בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בְּרַבִּי נַחְמָן, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הקב"ה "יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם" גָּלְדָה טִפָּה הָאֶמְצָעִית וְנַעֲשׂוּ שָׁמַיִם הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים וּשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם הָעֶלְיוֹנִים, וּמַאֲמַר זֶה יִתְפַּשֵּׁט לְכַדּוּרֵי הַגַּלְגַּלִּים שֶׁבָּהֶם תַּחְתּוֹנִים וְעֶלְיוֹנִים נִקְרָאִים "שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם", כְּדִכְתִיב (תהלים קמח ג-ד) הַלְלוּהוּ שֶׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵחַ הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל כּוֹכְבֵי אוֹר הַלְלוּהוּ שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם וְהַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל הַשָּׁמָיִם. אֲבָל הַשָּׁמַיִם הַנִּזְכָּרִים בָּרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁשָּׁם כִּסְאוֹ שֶׁל הקב"ה, דִּכְתִיב (ישעיהו סו א) הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי, הֵם הַנִּזְכָּרִים בִּתְחִלַּת זֶה הַמִּזְמוֹר (תהלים קמח א-ב), הַלְלוּ אֶת ה' מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם הַלְלוּהוּ בַּמְּרוֹמִים הַלְלוּהוּ כָל מַלְאָכָיו. וְזֶה הַלָּשׁוֹן נָכוֹן בִּפְשַׁט הַכָּתוּב, עִם מָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ עוֹד בְּשֵׁם הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבְשֵׁם הַכִּסֵּא סוֹד נִשְׂגָּב וְנֶעֱלָם, כִּי יֵשׁ שָׁמַיִם לַשָּׁמַיִם וְכִסֵּא לַכִּסֵּא, וּמִזֶּה אוֹמְרִים הַחֲכָמִים (ברכות יג) כְּדֵי לְקַבֵּל עָלָיו עֹל מַלְכוּת שָׁמַיִם, וְאָמְרוּ (שם ז) יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם, וְהַכָּתוּב אָמַר דִּי שַׁלִּטִן שְׁמַיָּא (דניאל ד כג), וְיֵשׁ לָהֶם מִדְרָשׁ נִפְלָא (ספר הבהיר אות ק) בְּמָה שֶׁכָּתוּב וְאַתָּה תִּשְׁמַע הַשָּׁמַיִם (מלכים א ח לב), וְכָל זֶה יִרְאֶנּוּ נִרְמָז בַּפָּסוּק הָרִאשׁוֹן הַזּוֹכֶה לוֹ. וְהִנֵּה בֵּאֲרוּ הַכְּתוּבִים כִּי הַנִּבְרָאִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים הֵם מֵאַיִן, וְהַשְּׁאָר מוֹצָאָם מִן הַחֹמֶר הָרִאשׁוֹן הַנִּבְרָא. וְאַל יִקְשֶׁה עָלֶיךָ מַאֲמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר הַגָּדוֹל (פרקי דר"א ג) שֶׁאָמַר, שָׁמַיִם מֵהֵיכָן נִבְרְאוּ, מֵאוֹר לְבוּשׁוֹ שֶׁל הקב"ה, וְכֵן הוּא בִּבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה עוֹד, כִּי בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁיִּרְצוּ הַחֲכָמִים עוֹד לְהַעֲלוֹת הַחֹמֶר הָרִאשׁוֹן עַד תַּכְלִית וְלַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ דַּק מִן הַדַּקִּים, לֹא יִרְאוּ שֶׁהַשָּׁמַיִם שֶׁהֵם גּוּף מִתְנוֹעֵעַ בַּעַל חֹמֶר וְצוּרָה הֵם הַנִּבְרָאִים מִן הָאַיִן, אֲבָל אוֹר הַלְּבוּשׁ הוּא הַנִּבְרָא הָרִאשׁוֹן וּמִמֶּנּוּ יָצָא חֹמֶר הַמַּמָּשׁ בַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְנָתַן לָאָרֶץ חֹמֶר אַחֵר וְאֵינֶנּוּ כְּדַקּוּת הָרִאשׁוֹן, וְהוּא שֶׁלֶג שֶׁתַּחַת כִּסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד, כִּי כִסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד נִבְרָא וּמִמֶּנּוּ הָיָה הַשֶּׁלֶג שֶׁתַּחְתָּיו וּמִמֶּנּוּ נַעֲשָׂה חֹמֶר הָאָרֶץ, וְהִנֵּה הוּא שְׁלִישִׁי בַּבְּרִיאָה:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D CALLED THE FIRMAMENT HEAVEN. On the second day He gave them this name when He clothed them with the form of the firmament for on the first day the heavens were still in the process of creation, but the name was not attached to them until they took on this form.
The meaning of this name [*shamayim* — heavens] is as if it had the sign of a *segol* under the letter *shin* [the prefix *shin* thus voweled means “that” or “for”] just as in *Shalamah (For why) should I be as one that veileth herself?*¹⁰⁶ there stands for *asher - asher lamah* (for why). Similarly in Ibn Ezra, *ibid.* Likewise here, the word *shamayim* is as if it said *asher mayim* (that waters), as is explained further in the text. It is thus as if He said that they [the heavens] are waters which have congealed and stretched like a tent in the midst of the upper and lower waters. By this name *shamayim* He has made known the secret of their creation.
In the *Gemara* Tractate Chagigah,¹⁰⁷ the Rabbis have said, “What is the meaning of the word *shamayim*? It means *shem mayim*.”¹⁰⁸ If so, there is one *mem* missing here in the word *shamayim* on account of the adjoining of two similar letters, just as in the word *yeruba’al* [which stands for *yareb bo ba’al* — let Baal contend against him].¹⁰⁹ The word *shamayim* is thus as if it said *shem mayim*, meaning that “heaven” is the name given the waters when they took on a new form. This is the plain meaning of the verses in accordance with the way of Rashi’s writing,¹¹⁰ [may be regarded as made up of either of these words]: *sa mayim* (carries water), etc.” Rashi. and it conforms with the opinion of Rav¹¹¹ which we have mentioned. Thus the names “heaven” and “earth” mentioned in the first verse point to the names by which they would be called in the future, as it would be impossible to make them known in any other manner. It is, however, more correct in accordance with the meaning of the verses that we say that the heavens mentioned in the first verse are the upper heavens, which are not part of the lower spheres but are above the *merkavah* (the Divine Chariot), just as it is stated, *And over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of a firmament, like the color of the transparent ice, stretched forth over their heads above*.¹¹² It is on account of these higher heavens that the Holy One, blessed be He, is called *He Who rideth upon the heavens*.¹¹³ Scripture, however, did not relate anything concerning their creation, just as it did not mention the creation of the angels, the *chayoth* of the *merkavah*, and all Separate Intelligences which are incorporeal. Concerning the heavens, it mentioned only in a general way that they were created, meaning that they came forth from nought. On the second day He said that there should be a firmament in the midst of the waters, meaning that from the waters, the creation of which had already been mentioned, there should come forth an extended substance separating them [into two distinct waters]. These spherical bodies He also called “heavens” by the name of the first upper heavens. This is why they are called in this chapter “the firmament of the heaven” [rather than “heavens”] — *And G-d set them in the firmament of the heaven*¹¹⁴ — in order to explain that they are not the heavens mentioned by that name in the first verse but merely the firmaments *called* “heavens.”
This likewise is the opinion of our Rabbis mentioned in Bereshith Rabbah,¹¹⁵ who state, “All Rabbis say it in the name of Rabbi Chananyah the son of Rabbi Pinchas, and Rabbi Yaakov the son of Rabbi Avin says it in the name of Rabbi Shmuel the son of Rabbi Nachman: *Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters* — the middle drop of water congealed, and the lower heavens and the highest heaven of heavens were formed.” This saying of the Rabbis refers to the spherical bodies in which there are the lower heavens and the upper ones, called “the heavens of heavens,” as it is written: *Praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light. Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that are above the heavens*.¹¹⁶ The heavens mentioned here in the first verse, in which is the Throne of the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it is written, *The heaven is My throne*,¹¹⁷ are the ones mentioned in the beginning of that Psalm: *Praise ye the Eternal from the heavens; praise Him in the heights. Praise ye Him, all His angels*.¹¹⁸
This interpretation is correct as far as the simple meaning of the verses is concerned. But there is yet a sublime and hidden secret in the name “the heaven” and in the name “the throne” for there is a heaven to the heavens, and a throne to the throne. Based on this, the Sages use the expressions, “In order that a man may first take upon himself the yoke of the kingdom of Heaven,”¹¹⁹ and “the fear of Heaven.”¹²⁰, 7a. Scripture likewise says, *That the heavens do rule*.¹²¹ The Sages also have a remarkable Midrash on the verse, *And Thou hear in heaven*.¹²² The worthy one will see all this alluded to in the first verse.
Thus the verses have explained that the first created things were from nought, and the rest were derived from the first created substance.
See no objection to this explanation from the saying of Rabbi Eliezer the Great,¹²³ who states, “Whence were the heavens created? From the light of the garment of the Holy One, blessed be He.” [This would apparently indicate that the heavens were not created from nought but from another preceding substance.] This opinion is also found in Bereshith Rabbah.¹²⁴ Since the Sages wanted to elevate the first substance to the utmost and make it ethereal, they did not find it feasible that the heavens, which are moving corporeal bodies possessing matter and form, were created from nought. Instead, they said “the light of the garment” was created first, and from it came forth the real substance of the heavens. And to the earth He gave another substance,¹²⁵ not as minute as the first [substance from which the heavens were formed], and that is “the snow under the Throne of Glory,” for the Throne of Glory was first created, and from it came forth “the snow” under it, and from it [the “snow”] was formed the substance of the earth, which was third¹²⁶ in the order of creation.

footnotes:
¹⁰⁶ Song of Songs 1:7. The letter shin
¹⁰⁷ 12a.
¹⁰⁸ “It is a name for water.” So clearly explained further on by Ramban.
¹⁰⁹ Judges 6:32.
¹¹⁰ “The word shamayim
¹¹¹ Mentioned above: that the heavens were in a fluid form on the first day, and on the second day they solidified.
¹¹² Ezekiel 1:22.
¹¹³ Deuteronomy 33:26.
¹¹⁴ Verse 17.
¹¹⁵ 4:1.
¹¹⁶ Psalms 148:3-4.
¹¹⁷ Isaiah 66:1.
¹¹⁸ Psalms 148:1-2.
¹¹⁹ Berachoth 13a.
¹²⁰ Ibid.
¹²¹ Daniel 4:23.
¹²² I Kings 8:32. The Midrash referred to is in Sefer Habahir, 100, and found in Zohar 2, p. 271. See my Hebrew commentary, p. 19, note 58.
¹²³ Found in Pirke d’Rabbi Eliezer, 3. See also Moreh Nebuchim II, 26, where Rambam discusses this saying of Rabbi Eliezer and concludes that he is not able to explain it sufficiently. Ramban, however, explains it further on in the text in a way which makes it consistent with the theory of creation from absolute nought.
¹²⁴ 12:1.
¹²⁵ This is based on the concluding statement of Rabbi Eliezer the Great: “Whence was the earth created? From the snow under the Throne of Glory.” (See Note 123.)
¹²⁶ The Throne of Glory, the snow, the earth. In the case of the heavens, however, creation was completed in the second stage: ‘the light of the garment’ and then the heavens. This accords with the theory explained above (see Note 35) that the substance of the heavens is unlike that of the earth.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:9:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:9:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:9:1)

**יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם** הָיָה הַתְּהוֹם שֶׁהוּא מַיִם וְעָפָר כְּעֵין הַמַּיִם הָעֲכוּרִים, וְגָזַר עַל הַמַּיִם שֶׁיִּקָּווּ בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד מְסֻבָּב כָּל הַפֵּאוֹת, וְגָזַר עַל הֶעָפָר שֶׁיַּעֲלֶה עַד שֶׁיֵּרָאֶה עַל הַמַּיִם וְיִיבַשׁ, וְתִהְיֶה יַבָּשָׁה שְׁטוּחָה רְאוּיָה לְיִשּׁוּב. וְכֵן כָּתוּב לְרֹקַע הָאָרֶץ עַל הַמַּיִם (תהלים קלו ו). אוֹ שֶׁמָּא שֶׁתִּהְיֶה כַּדּוּרִית, מִקְצָתָהּ מְגֻלָּה וְרֻבָּהּ מְשֻׁקַּעַת, אֲשֶׁר יְדַמּוּ הַיְּוָנִים בְּמוֹפְתֵיהֶם הַנִּרְאִים אוֹ הַמְּפַתִּים. וְהִנֵּה הֵן שְׁתֵּי גְּזֵרוֹת, כְּלוֹמַר שְׁנֵי עִנְיָנִים נַעֲשִׂים בְּחֵפֶץ אֱלֹהִים הֵפֶךְ מִן הַנָּאוֹת בְּטִבְעָם, כִּי הָרָאוּי לִכְבֵדוּת הֶעָפָר וּלְקַלּוּת הַמַּיִם כְּנֶגְדָּהּ, לִהְיוֹת עַמּוּד הָאָרֶץ אֶמְצָעִי וְהַמַּיִם מְכַסִּים עָלֶיהָ מַקִּיפִים אוֹתָהּ מִכָּל צַד, וְעַל כֵּן אָמַר "יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם", כְּלוֹמַר אֶל מָקוֹם שִׁפְלוּת, וְאָמַר "וְתֵרָאֶה הַיַּבָּשָׁה", וְקָרָא לָהֶם שֵׁמוֹת בִּהְיוֹתָם לוֹבְשִׁים הַצּוּרוֹת הָאֵלּוּ, כִּי מִתְּחִלָּה הָיָה שְׁמָם "תְּהוֹם":

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
LET THE WATERS UNDER THE HEAVEN BE GATHERED TOGETHER. The deep, which is water and sand, was like turbid waters, and He decreed concerning the waters that they be gathered together in one place, surrounded on all sides, and He further decreed concerning the sands that they rise up until they be seen above the waters and that they become dry, so that there be a stretch of dry land suitable for settlement thereon. And so it is written: *To Him that spread forth the earth above the waters*.¹²⁷ Or perhaps G-d’s decree was that the earth be spherical, partly visible and mostly submerged in the waters, as the Greeks imagine in their proofs, apparent or real. Thus there were two decrees, that is, two matters done by the Will of G-d that are contrary to their natural inclination. For in view of the heaviness of earth [which would cause it to sink] and the lightness of the waters [which would cause them to rise], it would have been natural that the pillar of the earth be in the center and that the waters should cover it, thus surrounding it from all sides.¹²⁸ Therefore, He said, *Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together*, that is to a lower place, and then He said, *And let the dry land appear*. He gave them names as they assumed these forms, for at the beginning their collective name was “the deep.”

footnotes:
¹²⁷ Psalms 136:6.
¹²⁸ But instead He decreed that the waters which filled the whole world should go down as would be natural for the earth, and that the earth should come up as would be natural for the water.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:10:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:10:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:10:1)

**וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ** יֹאמַר כִּי שְׁמָהּ הָרָאוּי לָהּ "יַבָּשָׁה", כִּי בְּהִפָּרֵד הַמַּיִם מִן הֶעָפָר הִיא יְבֵשָׁה, אֲבָל יִקְרָא אוֹתָהּ "אֶרֶץ" כְּשֵׁם כְּלַל הַיְּסוֹדוֹת הַנִּבְרָא בָּרִאשׁוֹן, וְהַטַּעַם כִּי בַּעֲבוּרָהּ נִבְרְאוּ, שֶׁתִּהְיֶה יִשּׁוּב לָאָדָם, שֶׁאֵין בַּתַּחְתּוֹנִים מַכִּיר בּוֹרְאוֹ זוּלָתוֹ. וְקָרָא לְמִקְוֵה הַמַּיִם "יַמִּים", כְּאִלּוּ הוּא "יָם מַיִם", לְפִי שֶׁקַּרְקַע הַמִּקְוֶה נִקְרָא "יָם", כְּדִכְתִיב (ישעיהו יא ט) "כַּמַּיִם לַיָּם מְכַסִּים", וְכֵן "וְאֶת הַיָּם הוֹרִד מֵעַל הַבָּקָר" (מלכים ב טז יז), כִּי מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מִקְוֵה מַיִם גָּדוֹל יִקָּרֵא כֵּן:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D CALLED THE DRY LAND EARTH. The verse states that the proper name for it would be *yabashah* (dry land) for as the waters are separated from the sand it becomes dry. However, He called it *eretz* (earth) as the name which included the four elements created on the first day. The reason for this is that they were all created for the sake of the earth in order that there be a habitation for man, since among the lower creatures no one but man recognizes his Creator.¹²⁹ in the Book of Exodus).
And the gathering together of the waters He called *‘yamim’ (seas)*. It is as if [the word *yamim*, (seas) combines the two words] *yam* and *mayim* (a sea of waters), for the bottom of the ocean is called *yam*, as it is written, *As the waters cover the sea*,¹³⁰ and likewise, *And he took down the sea from off the brazen oxen*.¹³¹ It is called “sea” because there was a large gathering of water in it.

footnotes:
¹²⁹ This is a major principle in Ramban’s thought, that the purpose of all existence is that man acknowledge his Creator. “We have no other reason for the Creation.” (See end of Seder Bo
¹³⁰ Isaiah 11:9.
¹³¹ II Kings 16:17.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:10:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:10:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:10:2)

**וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֹב** הוּא קִיּוּמָם בְּחֶפְצוֹ, וְהָעִנְיָן כִּי כַּאֲשֶׁר הִלְבִּישָׁם הַצּוּרָה הַזּוֹ חָפַץ בָּהֶם וְהָיָה הַקִּיּוּם כְּמוֹ שֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּי (רמב"ן על בראשית א':ד'). וְזֶה מָה שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ (ב"ר ד ו) מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא נֶאֱמַר כִּי טוֹב בַּשֵּׁנִי, לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא נִגְמְרָה מְלֶאכֶת הַמַּיִם, לְפִיכָךְ כָּתוּב בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי שְׁנֵי פְּעָמִים, אֶחָד לִמְלֶאכֶת הַמַּיִם וְאֶחָד לִמְלֶאכֶת הַיּוֹם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD. This means that their continued existence was by His Will, and the purport is that when He clothed them with this form He desired them to be so and their existence was thus established as I have explained.¹³² This conforms to what our Rabbis have said:¹³³ “Why is it not stated in reference to the work of the second day *that it was good?* Because the work associated with the waters was not completed until the third day. Therefore on the third day, [the words *ki tov — that it was good*] are repeated, once in reference to the completion of the work associated with the waters, and once in reference to [the completion of the other work of] that day.”

footnotes:
¹³² In Verse 4.
¹³³ Bereshith Rabbah 4:8.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:11:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:11:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:11:1)

**וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא** גָּזַר שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בְּתוֹלְדוֹת הָאָרֶץ כֹּחַ הַצּוֹמֵחַ וּמוֹלִיד זֶרַע כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הַמִּין קַיָּם לָעַד. וְיִתָּכֵן שֶׁיִּרְמֹז בָּאָרֶץ הַנִּזְכֶּרֶת בַּפָּסוּק הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁיִּמָּשֵׁךְ מִמֶּנָּה כֹּחַ מַצְמִיחַ, וְהִנֵּה נֶאֶצְלוּ מִכֹּחָהּ הַיְּסוֹדוֹת לְמִינֵיהֶם, וּמֵהֶם צָמְחוּ בְּגַן עֵדֶן דְּשָׁאִים וְאִילָנוֹת, וּמֵהֶם בָּעוֹלָם. וְזֶהוּ שֶׁאָמְרוּ (ב"ר יא ט) בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי בָּרָא שָׁלֹשׁ בְּרִיּוֹת, אִילָנוֹת וּדְשָׁאִים וְגַן עֵדֶן. וְעוֹד אָמְרוּ (שם י ו), אֵין לְךָ כָּל עֵשֶׂב וְעֵשֶׂב מִלְּמַטָּה שֶׁאֵין לוֹ מַזָּל בָּרָקִיעַ וּמַכֶּה אוֹתוֹ וְאוֹמֵר לוֹ גְּדַל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (איוב לח לג) הֲיָדַעְתָּ חֻקּוֹת שָׁמָיִם אִם תָּשִׂים מִשְׁטָרוֹ בָאָרֶץ, שׁוֹטֵר. וְאָמַר שֶׁיִּהְיֶה כָּל זֶה לְמִינֵהוּ, וְהוּא אִסּוּר הַכִּלְאַיִם, כִּי הַזּוֹרֵעַ אוֹתָם מַכְחִישׁ בְּכֹחַ מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית, וְעוֹד אֲבָאֵר בּוֹ בְּעֶזְרַת הַשֵּׁם (בויקרא יט יט). וְכָתַב רַבֵּינוּ שְׁלֹמֹה, "דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב" לֹא דֶּשֶׁא לְשׁוֹן עֵשֶׂב וְלֹא עֵשֶׂב לְשׁוֹן דֶּשֶׁא, שֶׁלְּשׁוֹן דֶּשֶׁא לְבִישַׁת הָאָרֶץ בַּעֲשָׂבִים, וְאֵין לוֹמַר דֶּשֶׁא פְּלוֹנִי, וְכָל שֹׁרֶשׁ לְעַצְמוֹ נִקְרָא עֵשֶׂב. וְאֵין דְּבָרוֹ זֶה נָכוֹן, שֶׁאִם כֵּן לְשׁוֹן "דֶּשֶׁא" לֹא יִתְרַבֶּה, וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים הִרְכִּיב שְׁנֵי מִינֵי דְּשָׁאִים מַהוּ (חולין ס), וְהָרַב עַצְמוֹ מַזְכִּיר דְּשָׁאִים. אֲבָל דֶּשֶׁא הוּא הַקָּטָן הַצּוֹמֵחַ, וְעֵשֶׂב הוּא הַגָּדוֹל הַמַּזְרִיעַ, וְלָכֵן יֹאמַר "תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ", וְלֹא יִתָּכֵן לוֹמַר "תַּעֲשִׂיב". וְכָל קָטָן הַצּוֹמֵחַ מִן הָאָרֶץ יִקָּרֵא "דֶּשֶׁא" אַף בָּאִילָנוֹת, וְלָכֵן יִמָּשֵׁךְ תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ עֵץ פְּרִי, כִּי לֹא אָמַר "תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב וְתוֹצִיא עֵץ פְּרִי", וְהִנֵּה הוּא כְּטַעַם צְמִיחָה, וְכֵן "כִּי דָשְׁאוּ נְאוֹת מִדְבָּר כִּי עֵץ נָשָׂא פִרְיוֹ" (יואל ב כב) וַאֲנִי תָּמֵהַּ אֵיךְ לֹא הִזְכִּיר הַכָּתוּב אִילָנֵי הַסְּרָק, וְאֵיךְ צִוָּה בְּעֵץ פְּרִי לְבַדּוֹ. וְאוּלַי בְּזֶה נִתְעוֹרְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁאָמְרוּ (ב"ר ה ט), אַף אִילָנֵי סְרָק עָשׂוּ פֵּרוֹת. וְאִם כֵּן נֹאמַר כִּי מִקִּלְלַת "אֲרוּרָה הָאֲדָמָה" (בראשית ג':י"ז) הָיוּ סְרָק. וְיִתָּכֵן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה פֵּרוּשׁ הַכָּתוּב תַּצְמִיחַ הָאָרֶץ צֶמַח וְעֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע וְעֵץ עוֹשֶׂה פְּרִי, וְהִנֵּה בַּתְּחִלָּה גָּזַר בְּעִשְׂבֵי הַסְּרָק וּבְאִילָנֵי הַסְּרָק, וּמִמָּה שֶׁאָמַר "עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ בוֹ" (בראשית א':י"ב) נִלְמֹד כִּי כָּל הָאִילָנוֹת יִצְמְחוּ מִזַּרְעָם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַמִּנְהָג בְּמִקְצָתָם לִטַּע מֵהֶם הֶעָנָף:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D SAID: ‘LET THE EARTH PUT FORTH GRASS.’ He decreed that there be among the products of the earth a force which grows and bears seed so that the species should exist forever. It is possible that the name “earth” mentioned in the first verse already contains a hint that a force which causes things to grow should spring up from the earth, and it was from this force that the foundations of all vegetations according to their kinds emanated. From them sprang the grass and trees in the garden of Eden, and from them came those in the world. This is what the Rabbis have said:¹³⁴ “On the third day He created three creations: trees, grass, and the garden of Eden.” They have also said:¹³⁵ “There is not a single blade of grass below [that does not have] a constellation in heaven that smites it and says to it, ‘Grow.’ It is this which Scripture says, *Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens? Canst thou establish ‘mishtaro’ (the dominion thereof) in the earth?*¹³⁶ — [*mishtaro* being derived from the root] *shoter* (executive officer).”
And He said that all this vegetation should be *after its kind*. This is the basis of the prohibition of sowing mixed kinds of seeds,¹³⁷ since he who sows them works contrary to the power of the work of creation. I will yet explain this¹³⁷ with the help of G-d.
Now Rabbeinu Shlomo [Rashi] wrote: “*Deshe essev (grass, herb). Deshe* does not mean the same as *esev* and *esev* does not mean the same as *deshe*, for by *deshe* is meant that which forms the covering of the ground when it is filled with vegetation, and it is not linguistically correct to say ‘this or that *deshe*.’ Each by itself is called this or that *esev*.”
This interpretation of Rashi is not correct. For if it were so, the word *deshe*¹³⁸ could have no plural, and yet we find the Sages saying, “If a person grafted together two kinds of *deshaim*, what should the law be?”¹³⁸ And the Rabbi himself¹³⁹ (the Rabbi, the Master) without specification of the name is used by Ramban only with reference to Rashi or Rambam. It is the highest mark of respect. Precedent for it is found in the Talmud where just the title *Rabbi* meant Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi, redactor of the Mishnah, and the title *Rav* was a reference to Abba Arucha, founder of the Babylonian Academy of Sura. mentions *deshaim*.¹⁴⁰ are different; each by itself called this or that *esev*.” Rather, *deshe* is the young growing plant, and *esev* is the mature product which produces seeds. This is why Scripture says, *‘tadshei ha’aretz’ (let the earth put forth) ‘deshe’ (young plants)*, and it would not be correct usage to say *ta’asiv* [for the word *esev* applies to mature products which produce seeds]. And every young thing that grows from the earth is called *deshe*, even trees. Therefore *tadshei ha’aretz* in the verse extends also to the expression *etz pri* (the fruit-tree). [This interpretation is necessary] since He did not say, “Let the earth put forth *deshe esev* and *let it bring forth* the fruit-tree.” The word *deshe* thus has the same meaning as *tz’michah* (growing). Similarly we find: *For the pasture of the wilderness ‘dash’u’ (do spring), for the tree beareth its fruit*.¹⁴¹
I wonder why Scripture did not mention the creation of fruitless trees, and how is it that He commanded only concerning fruit-trees? Perhaps this is what induced our Rabbis to say,¹⁴² “Even the presently barren trees at first bore fruit.” If so, we must say that since the imprecation [which was visited upon Adam for his sin] — *Cursed be the ground for thy sake*¹⁴³ — barren trees came into existence. But it is possible that the explanation of the verse before us is as follows: “Let the earth bring forth growing things, and herbs which yield seed and trees which bear fruit.” Thus He decreed at first the creation of barren herbs and barren trees in general, and then He specified herbs which yield seed and trees which bear fruit. From what He said later on — *bearing fruit… wherein is the seed thereof* — we may derive that all trees were to grow from their seed although it is the custom with some trees to be propagated by planting a branch.

footnotes:
¹³⁴ The source is not definite. See Pirke d’Rabbi Eliezer, Chapter 3.
¹³⁵ Bereshith Rabbah 10:7.
¹³⁶ Job 38:33.
¹³⁷ Leviticus 19:19.
¹³⁷ Leviticus 19:19.
¹³⁸ Chullin 60a.
¹³⁸ Chullin 60a.
¹³⁹ Rashi. The title Harav
¹⁴⁰ That is, when Rashi writes, “For the species of deshaim
¹⁴¹ Joel 2:22.
¹⁴² Bereshith Rabbah 5:9.
¹⁴³ Genesis 3:17.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:12:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:12:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:12:1)

**וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֹב** קִיּוּם הַמִּינִין לָעַד. וְהִנֵּה לֹא נִתְיַחֵד יוֹם לַמַּאֲמָר הַזֶּה לְבַדּוֹ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵינֶנּוּ מַעֲשֶׂה מְיֻחָד, כִּי הָאָרֶץ כַּאֲשֶׁר תַּצְמִיחַ אוֹ שֶׁתִּהְיֶה אֶרֶץ מְלֵחָה אַחַת הִיא:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD. This affirms the existence of the various kinds forever.
There was no special day assigned for this command for vegetation alone, since it is not a unique work. The earth, whether it brings forth anything or is salt land, is one.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:14:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:14:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:14:1)

**יְהִי מְאוֹרוֹת** הִנֵּה הָאוֹר נִבְרָא בְּיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן וּמֵאִיר בַּיְּסוֹדוֹת, וְכַאֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה הָרָקִיעַ בַּשֵּׁנִי הִפְסִיק בָּאוֹר וּמָנַע אוֹתוֹ מֵהָאִיר בַּיְּסוֹדוֹת הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים, וְהִנֵּה כַּאֲשֶׁר נִבְרֵאת הָאָרֶץ בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי הָיָה בָּהּ חֹשֶׁךְ וְלֹא אוֹר, וְעַתָּה בָּרְבִיעִי רָצָה הקב"ה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ בָּרָקִיעַ מְאוֹרוֹת מַגִּיעִים אוֹר לָאָרֶץ. וְזֶה טַעַם "בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהָאִיר עַל הָאָרֶץ", כִּי הָאוֹר הָיָה לְמַעְלָה מִן הָרָקִיעַ וְלֹא הֵאִיר עַל הָאָרֶץ. וְעִנְיַן "יְהִי מְאוֹרוֹת", כִּי מֵחֹמֶר הַשָּׁמַיִם גָּזַר בָּרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אוֹר בְּמִדַּת הַיּוֹם, וְעַתָּה גָּזַר שֶׁיִּתְגַּשֵּׁם וְיִתְהַוֶּה מִמֶּנּוּ גּוּף מֵאִיר בַּיּוֹם גְּדוֹל הָאוֹרָה, וְגוּף אַחֵר קְטַן הָאוֹרָה מֵאִיר בַּלַּיְלָה, וְיִתָּלוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם שֶׁיָּאִירוּ גַּם לְמַטָּה. וְיִתָּכֵן כִּי כְּמוֹ שֶׁשָּׂם בָּאָרֶץ כֹּחַ הַצְּמִיחָה בִּמְקוֹמוֹת מִמֶּנָּה, כֵּן שָׂם בָּרָקִיעַ מְקוֹמוֹת מוּכָנִים וּמְזֻמָּנִים לְקַבֵּל הָאוֹרָה, וְהַגּוּפִים הָאֵלֶּה מְקַבְּלֵי אוֹר מַזְהִירִים כְּגוֹן הָאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָאוֹת וְאַבְנֵי הַשֹּׁהַם, וְלָכֵן יִקְרָאֵם מְאוֹרוֹת לֹא אוֹרִים, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁקְּרָאָם הַמִּזְמוֹר כֵּן (תהלים קלו ז):

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
LET THERE BE LIGHTS. Now the light was created on the first day, illuminating the elements, but when on the second day the firmament was made, it intercepted the light and prevented it from illuminating the lower elements. Thus, when the earth was created on the third day there was darkness on it and not light. And now on the fourth day the Holy One, blessed be He, desired that there be in the firmament luminaries, the light of which would reach the earth. This is the meaning of the words, *in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth*,¹⁴⁴ for there already was light above the firmament which did not illuminate the earth.
The meaning of the words, *Let there be lights*, is as follows: He decreed on the first day that from the substance of the heavens there should come forth a light for the period of the day, and now He decreed that it become corporeal and that a luminous body come forth from it which would give light during the day with a great illumination, and that another body of lesser light [should come into existence] to illumine at night, and He suspended both in the firmament of the heavens in order that they illumine below as well.
It is possible that just as He endowed the earth with the power of growth in certain places thereof, so He placed in the firmament certain areas that are prepared and ready to receive the light, and these bodies which receive the light reflect it, just as window-panes and onyx stones. This is why He called them *me’oroth* and not *orim*. [*Orim* would imply that they have their own light; *me’oroth* on the other hand implies that they reflect the light which they receive], even though they are called *orim*, in the Psalm.¹⁴⁵.

footnotes:
¹⁴⁴ Verse 17.
¹⁴⁵ Psalms 136:7. To Him that made great ‘orim’ (lights)


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:14:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:14:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:14:2)

**לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה** כָּתַב רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית א':י"ד) מִשֶּׁנִּגְנַז הָאוֹר הָרִאשׁוֹן, אֲבָל בְּשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית שִׁמְּשׁוּ הָאוֹר וְהַחֹשֶׁךְ זֶה בַּיּוֹם וְזֶה בַּלַּיְלָה. וְאֵינִי רוֹאֶה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה זֶה דַּעַת רַבּוֹתֵינוּ הַמַּזְכִּירִים "גְּנִיזָה" עַל הָאוֹר הָרִאשׁוֹן, אֲבָל לְדַעְתָּם הָאוֹר הָרִאשׁוֹן שִׁמֵּשׁ שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים, וּבָרְבִיעִי נֶאֱצַל מִמֶּנּוּ וְנַעֲשׂוּ בּוֹ אָז מִמֶּנּוּ שְׁנֵי הַמְּאוֹרוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ (ב"ר יז ה) נֹבֶלֶת אוֹרָה שֶׁל מַעְלָה גַּלְגַּל חַמָּה, כִּי לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה רָאוּי לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בָּאוֹר הַהוּא בְּלִי אֶמְצָעוּת, גְּנָזוֹ לַצַּדִּיקִים לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, וְשִׁמְּשׁוּ בַּנֹּבֶלֶת הַזּוֹ מִיּוֹם רְבִיעִי וְאֵילָךְ. כָּךְ אָמְרוּ בִּבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ג':ו'), תָּנֵי, אוֹרָה שֶׁנִּבְרֵאת בְּשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית, לְהָאִיר בַּיּוֹם אֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא מַכְהָה גַּלְגַּל חַמָּה, בַּלַּיְלָה אֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה שֶׁלֹּא נִבְרֵאת לְהָאִיר אֶלָּא בַּיּוֹם, וְהֵיכָן הִיא, נִגְנְזָה. וְהֵיכָן הִיא, מְתֻקֶּנֶת לַצַּדִּיקִים לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיהו ל כו) וְהָיָה אוֹר הַלְּבָנָה כְּאוֹר הַחַמָּה וְאוֹר הַחַמָּה יִהְיֶה שִׁבְעָתַיִם כְּאוֹר שִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים. שִׁבְעָה, אֶתְמְהָה! לֹא שְׁלֹשָׁה הֵן? כְּאִינָשׁ דְּאָמַר "כֵּן אֲנָא מַפְקִיד לְשִׁבְעָה יוֹמֵי דְּמִשְׁתּוֹתַי", כְּלוֹמַר לְשׁוֹן בְּנֵי אָדָם הוּא שֶׁיֹּאמַר "אֲנִי מַפְקִיד וְשׁוֹמֵר זֶה הַבָּשָׂר לְשִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה שֶׁלִּי", לֹא שֶׁיַּסְפִּיק לוֹ לַשִּׁבְעָה כֻּלָּם אֶלָּא שֶׁיּוֹצִיא אוֹתוֹ בְּתוֹכָם. וְכָךְ אָמְרוּ "שִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים", כָּאוֹר שֶׁהָיָה בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בְּמִקְצָתָם. וְשָׁם אָמְרוּ עוֹד (ב"ר ג ו) וַיַּבְדֵּל, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי סִימוֹן אָמַר הִבְדִּילוֹ לוֹ, וְרַבָּנָן אָמְרִין הִבְדִּילוֹ לַצַּדִּיקִים לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא. וְאִם תּוּכַל לָדַעַת כַּוָּנָתָם בְּאָמְרָם בְּבִרְכַּת הַלְּבָנָה "עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאֶרֶת לַעֲמוּסֵי בָטֶן", תֵּדַע סוֹד הָאוֹר הָרִאשׁוֹן וְהַגְּנִיזָה וְהַהַבְדָּלָה שֶׁאָמַר הִבְדִּילוֹ לוֹ, וְסוֹד שְׁנֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַמִּשְׁתַּמְּשִׁים בְּכֶתֶר אֶחָד, כַּאֲשֶׁר בַּסּוֹף שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אוֹר הַלְּבָנָה כְּאוֹר הַחַמָּה אַחַר שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אוֹר הַחַמָּה שִׁבְעָתַיִם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
TO DIVIDE THE DAY FROM THE NIGHT. Rashi wrote: “This took place after the primeval light was concealed for the righteous, but during the six¹⁴⁶ days of creation the [primeval] light and darkness functioned, one by day and one by night.”¹⁴⁷
Now I do not see that this is the opinion of our Rabbis who mention concealment in connection with the primeval light. In their opinion, rather, the primeval light functioned for three days, and on the fourth an emanation took place from which was formed these two luminaries, just as the Rabbis have said,¹⁴⁸ “The sphere of the sun is an offshoot of the upper light.” For since this world was not deserving of being served by this primeval light without an intermediary, He concealed it for the righteous in the World to Come, and He made use of this offshoot of the upper light from the fourth day on. Thus the Rabbis said in Bereshith Rabbah:¹⁴⁹ “It was taught: The light which was created during the six days of creation could not give light at daytime because it would then dim the sphere of the sun; at night it could not give light, since it was created to light only at daytime. So where is it? It was concealed. And where is it? It is prepared for the righteous in the hereafter, as it is said, *And the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and as the light of the seven days*.¹⁵⁰ ‘Seven?’ I wonder! Were they not three?¹⁵¹ It is like a man who says thus: ‘I am keeping this for the seven days of my wedding feast.’” That is to say, it is common parlance that one say: “I am keeping and guarding this meat for the seven days of my wedding festivity.” It is not that this would suffice him for all seven days, only that he will use it during that time. In the same way the Rabbis explained the expression *seven days*, meaning as the light which functioned during some of those days.
There in Bereshith Rabbah the Rabbis also said:¹⁵² “*And He separated the light*.¹⁵³ Rabbi Yehudah the son of Rabbi Simon said, ‘He separated it for Himself.’¹⁵⁴. (Daniel 2:22). And the Rabbis say, ‘He separated it for the righteous in the hereafter.’” Now if you could know the intent of the Rabbis in their saying in the Blessing of the Moon,¹⁵⁵ “A crown of glory to those borne by Him from the birth,” you would know the secret of the primeval light, the conserving thereof, and the matter of separation mentioned [in the words of Rabbi Yehudah the son of Rabbi Simon] — i.e., “He separated it for Himself” — as well as the secret of “the two kings making use of one crown,”¹⁵⁶ as will indeed be the case at the end when *the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun* after *the light of the sun shall be sevenfold*.¹⁵⁰

footnotes:
¹⁴⁶ In our text of Rashi: “seven.” See my note to Berliner’s edition of Rashi (p. 436) that both texts can be explained as correct.
¹⁴⁷ In our text of Rashi: “functioned together both by day and by night.” However, during the seven days of creation it was the primeval light that functioned, its concealment taking place on the eve following the Sabbath (so clearly explained in Maharal’s commentary on Rashi — Gur Aryeh).
¹⁴⁸ Bereshith Rabbah 17:7.
¹⁴⁹ 3:6.
¹⁵⁰ Isaiah 30:26.
¹⁵¹ For since the present light was created on the fourth day, the primeval light functioned only for the first three days during Creation.
¹⁵² 3:7.
¹⁵³ Verse 4.
¹⁵⁴ Just as the verse says, And the light dwelleth with Him
¹⁵⁵ Sanhedrin 42a.
¹⁵⁶ Chullin 60 b, and mentioned in Rashi here, Verse 16: “The sun and the moon were created of equal size. When the moon complained, ‘It is impossible for two kings to make use of one crown,’ G-d said to it, ‘Go and diminish thyself.’”
¹⁵⁰ Isaiah 30:26.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:14:3
[Ramban on Genesis 1:14:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:14:3)

**וְהָיוּ לְאֹתוֹת** הַשִּׁנּוּי שֶׁיּוֹלִידוּ וְיֵעָשׂוּ מִמֶּנּוּ אוֹתוֹת וּמוֹפְתִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ, דָּם וָאֵשׁ וְתִימֲרוֹת עָשָׁן (יואל ג ג), כִּלְשׁוֹן וּמֵאֹתוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם אַל תֵּחָתּוּ (ירמיהו י ב):

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND THEY SHALL BE FOR SIGNS. These are the changes which they will bring forth, making signs and wonders *in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke*.¹⁵⁷ This is similar in meaning to the expression, *And be not dismayed at the signs of heaven*.¹⁵⁸

footnotes:
¹⁵⁷ Joel 3:3.
¹⁵⁸ Jeremiah 10:2.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:14:4
[Ramban on Genesis 1:14:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:14:4)

**וּלְמוֹעֲדִים** זֶרַע וְקָצִיר וְקֹר וָחֹם וְקַיִץ וָחֹרֶף (בראשית ח':כ"ב):

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND FOR SEASONS. This means *seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter*.¹⁵⁹

footnotes:
¹⁵⁹ Genesis 8:22.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:14:5
[Ramban on Genesis 1:14:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:14:5)

**וּלְיָמִים** מִדַּת יוֹם וּמִדַּת לַיְלָה:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND FOR DAYS. This means the length of day and the length of night.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:14:6
[Ramban on Genesis 1:14:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:14:6)

**וְשָׁנִים** יַשְׁלִימוּ מַהֲלָכָם, וְיוֹסִיפוּ שֵׁנִית לָשׁוּב בַּדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר הָלְכוּ בָהּ. וּשְׁנַת הַחַמָּה בִּשְׁסָ"ה יוֹם, וּשְׁנַת הַלְּבָנָה בִּשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND YEARS. The luminaries are to complete their orbit and then traverse again the same course they followed, thus making the solar year consist of 365 days and the lunar year consist of [lunar cycles, each approximately] 30 days.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:15:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:15:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:15:1)

**וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהָאִיר עַל הָאָרֶץ** הוֹסִיף שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אוֹרָם מַגִּיעַ לָאָרֶץ, כִּי אֶפְשָׁר שֶׁיֵּרָאֶה לָהֶם אוֹר בַּשָּׁמַיִם וְיַעֲשׂוּ כָּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים הַנִּזְכָּרִים מִבְּלִי שֶׁיָּאִירוּ בָּאָרֶץ. וּלְכָךְ אָמַר שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לִמְאוֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם וּמַבִּיט בָּאָרֶץ וְיָאִירוּ עָלֶיהָ.

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND THEY SHALL BE FOR LIGHTS IN THE FIRMAMENT OF THE HEAVEN TO GIVE LIGHT UPON THE EARTH. He added here that their light should reach the earth since it is possible for the light to be seen in the heavens and perform all mentioned functions without lighting upon the earth. Hence He said that it *be for lights in the firmament of the heaven*, directed toward the earth and shining upon it.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:16:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:16:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:16:1)

**וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים** מְלַמֵּד שֶׁלֹּא נִהְיוּ אֵלּוּ הַמְּאוֹרוֹת מִגּוּף הָרָקִיעַ אֲבָל גּוּפִים נִטְבָּעִים בּוֹ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D MADE. 17. AND G-D SET THEM. This teaches us that these lights were not made from the body of the firmament, rather, they were bodies set into it.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:18:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:18:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:18:1)

**וְלִמְשֹׁל בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה** עִנְיַן הַמֶּמְשָׁלָה דָּבָר אַחֵר מִבְּלִי הָאוֹרָה שֶׁהִזְכִּיר, כִּי יִכְלֹל מָה שֶׁאָמַר תְּחִלָּה "וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים", כִּי יֵשׁ לָהֶם מֶמְשָׁלָה בָּאָרֶץ בְּשִׁנּוּיֶיהָ אֲשֶׁר יוֹלִידוּ בָהּ, וּמֶמְשָׁלָה בַּהֲוָיָה וּבְהֶפְסֵד בְּכָל הַשְּׁפָלִים, כִּי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בְּמֶמְשַׁלְתּוֹ בַּיּוֹם יַצְמִיחַ וְיוֹלִיד וִיגַדֵּל בְּכָל הַחַמִּים וְהַיְּבֵשִׁים, וְהַיָּרֵחַ בְּמֶמְשַׁלְתּוֹ יַפְרֶה בַּמַּעְיָנוֹת וּבַיַּמִּים וְכָל הַלַּחִים וְהַקָּרִים, וְעַל כֵּן אָמַר סְתָם "וְלִמְשֹׁל בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה" – כִּי מֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַשְּׁפָלִים לָהֶם. וְיִתָּכֵן שֶׁהַמֶּמְשָׁלָה עוֹד כֹּחַ אֲצִילוּת, שֶׁהֵם מַנְהִיגֵי הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים וּבְכֹחָם יִמְשֹׁל כָּל מוֹשֵׁל, וְהַמַּזָּל הַצּוֹמֵחַ בַּיּוֹם יִמְשֹׁל בּוֹ, וְהַמַּזָּל הַצּוֹמֵחַ בַּלַּיְלָה יִמְשֹׁל בָּהּ, כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁכָּתוּב (דברים ד יט) אֲשֶׁר חָלַק ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֹתָם לְכֹל הָעַמִּים, וְהוּא מָה שֶׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב (תהלים קמז ד) מוֹנֶה מִסְפָּר לַכּוֹכָבִים לְכֻלָּם שֵׁמוֹת יִקְרָא, וְכֵן לְכֻלָּם בְּשֵׁם יִקְרָא (ישעיהו מ כו), כִּי קְרִיאַת הַשֵּׁמוֹת הִיא הַהַבְדָּלָה בְּכֹחוֹתָם, לָזֶה כֹּחַ הַצֶּדֶק וְהַיֹּשֶׁר וְלָזֶה כֹּחַ הַדָּם וְהַחֶרֶב, וְכֵן בְּכָל הַכֹּחוֹת כַּיָּדוּעַ בָּאִצְטַגְנִינוּת, וְהַכֹּל בְּכֹחַ עֶלְיוֹן וְלִרְצוֹנוֹ, וּלְכָךְ אָמַר גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵינוּ וְרַב כֹּחַ (תהלים קמז ה), כִּי הוּא גָּדוֹל עַל כֻּלָּם וְרַב כֹּחַ עֲלֵיהֶם, וְכֵן אָמַר מֵרֹב אוֹנִים וְאַמִּיץ כֹּחַ (ישעיהו מ כו). וְעַל דֶּרֶךְ הַסּוֹד שֶׁרָמַזְתִּי לְךָ תִּהְיֶה מֶמְשָׁלָה גְּמוּרָה בֶּאֱמֶת:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND TO RULE OVER THE DAY AND OVER THE NIGHT. The matter of rulership is a different matter from the function of light which He mentioned, since it includes that which He stated at first, *And they shall be for signs, and seasons*. Their rulership over the earth comprises the changes which they cause in it and the power of bringing about the existence and deterioration of all things in the lower world since the sun, by its rule during the day, causes the sprouting, the propagation and the growth of all the warm and dry things, while the moon by its rule increases the springs and the oceans, and all liquid and cold things. Therefore He said in a general way, *And to rule over the day and over the night*, because theirs is the dominion over things in the lower world.
It is possible that the rulership given to them contains also a power of emanation for they are the leaders of things in the lower world, and with their power, every ruling power in nature holds sway. Thus the constellation which comes up by day rules during it, even as it is written, *The sun and the moon and the stars… which the Eternal thy G-d hath allotted unto all the peoples*.¹⁶⁰ And this is what Scripture means when it says, *He counteth the number of the stars; He giveth them all their names*,¹⁶¹ likewise, *He calleth them all by name*.¹⁶² For the calling of names signifies the differentiation in their respective powers, giving to this one the power of justice and righteousness, and to that one the power of blood and the sword, and similarly all other powers, as is known in astrology. And all is done by the power of the Most High and in accordance with His Will. Therefore it says, *Great is our Lord, and mighty in power*,¹⁶³ for He is greatest of all and mightiest in power over them. And similarly it says, *He calleth them all by name by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power*.¹⁶² In accord with the secret I have hinted to you, the matter of rulership is completely true.

footnotes:
¹⁶⁰ Deuteronomy 4:19.
¹⁶¹ Psalms 147:4.
¹⁶² Isaiah 40:26.
¹⁶³ Psalms 147:5.
¹⁶² Isaiah 40:26.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:18:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:18:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:18:2)

**וּלֲהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ** אָמַר רַבִּי אַבְרָהָם (אבן עזרא על בראשית א':י"ח) כִּי בְּצֵאת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בַּיּוֹם וְאוֹר הַלְּבָנָה בַּלַּיְלָה יַבְדִּילוּ בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ. וּלְפִי דַּעְתִּי כִּי הָ"אוֹר" הַנִּזְכָּר בְּכָאן הוּא הַיּוֹם, וְהַ"חֹשֶׁךְ" הוּא הַלַּיְלָה, כִּי כֵן שְׁמָם כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר (בראשית א':ה') וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָאוֹר יוֹם וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ קָרָא לָיְלָה. וְהִנֵּה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית יַזְכִּיר הַכָּתוּב הַצַּוָּאָה וִיסַפֵּר הַמַּעֲשֶׂה, וּבְכָאן צִוָּה "וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֹרֹת" (לעיל טו) וְסִפֵּר "וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים" (לעיל יז), וְאָמַר "וְלִמְשֹׁל בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה", שֶׁיִּהְיֶה זֶה מוֹשֵׁל בַּיּוֹם וְזֶה מוֹשֵׁל בַּלַּיְלָה, וְהַמֶּמְשָׁלָה הוּא מָה שֶׁצִּוָּה "וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים" (לעיל יד), וְסִפֵּר שֶׁאֵין מֶמְשֶׁלֶת שְׁנֵיהֶם שָׁוָה, אֲבָל "לֲהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ" כִּי הַגָּדוֹל יִמְשֹׁל בַּיּוֹם וְיִהְיֶה כֻּלּוֹ אוֹר גַּם בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מַגִּיעַ, וְהַקָּטָן יִמְשֹׁל בַּלַּיְלָה וְיִהְיֶה חֹשֶׁךְ זוּלָתִי הַיָּרֵחַ שֶׁיַּגִּיהַּ חָשְׁכּוֹ, וְהִיא הַצַּוָּאָה שֶׁאָמַר "לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה" (שם) כְּמוֹ "וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ" (לעיל ד):

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND TO DIVIDE THE LIGHT FROM THE DARKNESS. Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra said: “By the coming forth of the sun at daytime and the light of the moon at night, they shall divide the light from the darkness.”¹⁶⁴ (and to divide) refers to both the sun and moon, that each in coming forth separates between light and darkness. (Tur.) In my opinion, the light mentioned here refers to the day, and the darkness is the night for such are their names, as it says, *And G-d called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night*.¹⁶⁵ from *the night*,” meaning, that light is to serve at daytime and darkness at night. (Tur.)
Now in connection with all the works of creation, Scripture mentions the Divine command and then tells of the deed. And here too He commanded, *And they shall be for lights*,¹⁶⁶ and then it relates, *And G-d set them*.¹⁶⁷ He further said, *And to rule over the day and over the night*,¹⁶⁸ meaning that one is to rule by day and the other by night, the rulership being that which He commanded when He said, *And they shall be for signs, and for seasons*.¹⁶⁹ And now He related that the rulership of the two is not alike but instead consists of dividing the darkness from the light. The greater luminary will rule by day and light will be everywhere, even where the sun does not reach, and the smaller luminary will rule by night, and there will be darkness except that the moon will lighten its darkness. This then is the command He gave in order *to divide the day from the night*,¹⁶⁹ as it says, *And G-d divided the light from the darkness*.¹⁵³

footnotes:
¹⁶⁴ Ibn Ezra’s opinion is that the word ul’havdil
¹⁶⁵ Verse 5. Thus according to Ramban, the meaning of the verse is: “and to divide the day
¹⁶⁶ Verse 15.
¹⁶⁷ Verse 17.
¹⁶⁸ Verse 18.
¹⁶⁹ Verse 14.
¹⁶⁹ Verse 14.
¹⁵³ Verse 4.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:20:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:20:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:20:1)

**יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ** כָּתַב רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית א':כ') כָּל דָּבָר חַי שֶׁאֵינוֹ גָּבוֹהַּ מִן הָאָרֶץ קָרוּי שֶׁרֶץ, בָּעוֹף כְּגוֹן זְבוּבִים, בַּשְּׁקָצִים כְּגוֹן נְמָלִים וְתוֹלָעִים, בַּבְּרִיּוֹת כְּגוֹן חֹלֶד וְעַכְבָּר וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָהֶם וְכָל הַדָּגִים. וּמָה יֹאמַר הָרַב בַּפָּסוּק וְאַתֶּם פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ שִׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ וּרְבוּ בָהּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בְּנֹחַ וּבָנָיו (בראשית ט':ז'), וְכֵן "אֲשֶׁר שָׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם" רָאוּי לְפִי הַדַּעַת הַזּוֹ שֶׁיֹּאמַר "אֲשֶׁר שָׁרְצוּ בַמַּיִם", וְעוֹפוֹת רַבִּים שֶׁאֵינָם גְּבוֹהִים מִן הָאָרֶץ כְּגֹבַהּ הַחֹלֶד הָעַכְבָּר וְהָעֲטַלֵּף קְטַן הָרַגְלַיִם מְאֹד, וְלָמָּה לֹא יִקָּרֵא "שֶׁרֶץ הָעוֹף". וְדַעַת אוּנְקְלוֹס (תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית א':כ') שֶׁעִנְיַן שְׁרִיצָה כְּטַעַם תְּנוּעָה, אָמַר בַּשֶּׁרֶץ וּבָרֶמֶשׂ, רִיחְשָׁא דְּרָחֵשׁ. וְיָפֶה פֵּרֵשׁ, וְיִקָּרְאוּ הַשְּׁרָצִים כֵּן בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁתְּנוּעָתָם תְּמִידִית. וְיִתָּכֵן שֶׁהוּא לָשׁוֹן מֻרְכָּב, יִקָּרֵא שֶׁרֶץ "שֶׁהוּא רָץ", וְרֶמֶשׂ שֶׁהוּא רוֹמֵשׂ הָאָרֶץ, לֹא יִשְׁקֹט וְלֹא יָנוּחַ. וְדַע כִּי כָל הָעוֹף אֲשֶׁר לוֹ אַרְבַּע רַגְלַיִם יִקָּרֵא "שֶׁרֶץ הָעוֹף" (ויקרא יא כ-כג), מִפְּנֵי שֶׁבְּרַגְלָיו יִסְמֹךְ וְיָנוּעַ כַּשְּׁרָצִים, וַאֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ כֵן יִקָּרֵא "עוֹף כָּנָף", שֶׁעִקַּר תְּנוּעָתוֹ לְעוֹפֵף. וְיִהְיֶה טַעַם "וְשָׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ וּפָרוּ וְרָבוּ עַל הָאָרֶץ" (בראשית ח':י"ז), שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מִתְהַלְּכִים בְּכֻלָּהּ וְיִפְרוּ וְיִרְבּוּ עָלֶיהָ, "שִׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ וּרְבוּ בָהּ" (בראשית ט':ז'), הִתְנוֹעֲעוּ בְּכֻלָּהּ וְתִרְבּוּ בָּהּ, וְהוּא טַעַם הַכֶּפֶל "וּרְבוּ" שְׁנֵי פְּעָמִים בַּפָּסוּק. וְאִם כֵּן נְפָרֵשׁ "אֲשֶׁר שָׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם" (בראשית א':כ"א), אֲשֶׁר הֵנִיעוּ וְהוֹלִיכוֹ הַמַּיִם. וְכֵן "וְשָׁרַץ הַיְאֹר צְפַרְדְּעִים" (שמות ז כח), וְכֵן "פָּרוּ וַיִּשְׁרְצוּ" (שם א ז), שֶׁפָּרוּ וְרָבוּ וַיָּנֻעוּ לְרֻבָּם עַד שֶׁתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ מֵהֶם. אֲבָל אוּנְקְלוֹס פָּתַר בְּ"שִׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ" (בראשית ט':ז') עִנְיַן תּוֹלָדָה, "אִתְיְלִידוּ בְאַרְעָא", כִּי הוּא עָשָׂה הַלָּשׁוֹן מֻשְׁאָל מִן הַשְּׁרָצִים, וְאַתֶּם פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ כַּשְּׁרָצִים בָּאָרֶץ וּרְבוּ בָהּ, וְכֵן "פָּרוּ וַיִּשְׁרְצוּ" (שמות א ז), שֶׁהָיוּ בְּתוֹלְדֹתָם כַּשְּׁרָצִים לָרֹב:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
LET THE WATERS SWARM WITH ‘SHERETZ’ (SWARMS) OF LIVING CREATURES. Rashi wrote: “Every living creature that does not rise much above the ground is called *sheretz*, [e.g., species] of winged creatures such as flies; of abominable creatures such as ants and worms; of larger creatures such as the mole and the mouse and others of the same kind, and all fishes.”
But what will the Rabbi¹⁷⁰ say of the verse, *And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; ‘shirtzu’ (swarm) in the earth and multiply therein*,¹⁷¹ which was said to Noah and his sons? Likewise, the verse stating, *which ‘hamayim’ (the waters) swarmed*,¹⁷² should, according to this opinion of Rashi, read: “Which swarmed *bamayim* (in the waters).”¹⁷³ the waters. Again there are many winged creatures that do not rise in height above the ground even as much as the mole and mouse, and the bat has very small legs, so why should it not be called *sheretz ha’oph* (a winged swarming thing)?
Onkelos’ opinion is that the term *shritzah* (swarming) has an implication of movement. Thus he says of both *sheretz* and *remes: richasha d’rachish* (moving things that move).¹⁷⁴, which Onkelos translated, *richasha d’rachish*. Thus it is obvious that Onkelos understood both words *(sheretz* and *remes)* as conveying a sense of movement. He has explained it correctly. *Shratzim* are so called because of their constant movement. It is possible that it is a composite word: *sheretz, shehu ratz* (that which runs). *Remes* is so called because it creeps upon the earth and is never quiet or at rest.
Know that every winged creature that has four legs is called *sheretz ha’oph* (a winged creeping¹⁷⁵ thing) because it leans on its legs and moves like *shratzim*, and a winged creature which is not so is called *oph kanaph* (winged fowl) because its main method of movement is flying. The meaning of the verse, *‘Veshartzu’ in the earth and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth*¹⁷⁶ is thus: that they may walk¹⁷⁷ upon the entire earth, and be fruitful and multiply upon it. *‘Shirtzu’ in the earth and multiply therein*¹⁷¹ means “move about the entire earth and multiply thereon.” This is the reason for the repetition of the word *ur’vu (and ye multiply)* in the verse.¹⁷⁸ [9:7]. Thus the first expression *and multiply* establishes the commandment of procreation; the second refers to the duty of making the whole earth habitable for people. This being so, we will explain the expression, *which the waters ‘shartzu,’*¹⁷² as meaning “which the waters have moved and brought forth.” Similarly, the expression, *‘Vesharatz’ the river with frogs*¹⁷⁹ [means that the river moved and brought forth frogs]. Also, *And the children of Israel were fruitful ‘vayishr’tzu,’*¹⁸⁰, 1:7. means that they were fruitful and they multiplied and moved about because of their multitude until the land was filled with them.
Onkelos, however, interpreted the verse, *‘Shirtzu’ in the earth*,¹⁷¹ as having reference to propagation. He thus translated, “Propagate in the land,” since he understood the word *shirtzu* — a verb — as being borrowed from the noun *shratzim* (reptiles). [The verse, according to Onkelos, thus states:] “And you, be ye fruitful and multiply, as the prolific creatures in the earth, and multiply therein.” Similarly, *And the children of Israel were fruitful ‘vayishr’tzu’*¹⁸⁰, 1:7. means they brought forth progeny abundantly as the prolific creatures.

footnotes:
¹⁷⁰ Rashi. See Note 139.
¹⁷¹ Genesis 9:7.
¹⁷² In Verse 21.
¹⁷³ Since, according to Rashi, they swarm in
¹⁷⁴ This expression of Onkelos is found in Leviticus 11:44, where the Hebrew reads, hasheretz haromes
¹⁷⁵ “Creeping,” according to Rashi, would be “swarming.”
¹⁷⁶ Genesis 8:17.
¹⁷⁷ Translations which read “that ‘they may swarm’ in the earth” are thus according to Rashi’s interpretation. Ramban, as here explained, understands the sense of the verse to be: “‘that they may move about’ the earth.”
¹⁷¹ Genesis 9:7.
¹⁷⁸ Quoted above: And you be ye fruitful and multiply, ‘shirtzu’ in the earth and multiply therein
¹⁷² In Verse 21.
¹⁷⁹ Exodus 7:28.
¹⁸⁰ Ibid.
¹⁷¹ Genesis 9:7.
¹⁸⁰ Ibid.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:20:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:20:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:20:2)

**וְעוֹף יְעוֹפֵף עַל הָאָרֶץ** בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה הָיָה מַאֲמַר הַבְּרִיאָה בַּמַּיִם, וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי בָּאָרֶץ, אִם כֵּן פֵּרוּשׁ "וְעוֹף יְעוֹפֵף עַל הָאָרֶץ" נִמְשָׁךְ, יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה וְעוֹף שֶׁיְּעוֹפֵף. וְהַכָּתוּב שֶׁאָמַר "וַיִּצֶר ה' אֱלֹהִים מִן הָאֲדָמָה כָּל חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה וְאֵת כָּל עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם" (בראשית ב':י"ט) כְּאִלּוּ אָמַר "וַיִּצֶר ה' אֱלֹהִים כָּל חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה מִן הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּצֶר אֵת כָּל עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם", וְרַבִּים כָּמוֹהוּ. וְכֵן דַּעַת רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר הַגָּדוֹל בִּפְרָקָיו (ריש פרק ט), שֶׁאָמַר בַּחֲמִישִׁי הִשְׁרִיץ מִן הַמַּיִם כָּל עוֹף כָּנָף. אֲבָל בַּגְּמָרָא (חולין כז) נֶחְלְקוּ בּוֹ, יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִין כֵּן שֶׁמִּן הַמַּיִם נִבְרְאוּ, וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִין שֶׁהָעוֹף מִשְּׁנֵיהֶם נִבְרָא, אָמְרוּ מֵהָרְקָק נִבְרְאוּ. וְאִם כֵּן בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁתּוֹלְדֹתָם הָיְתָה בַּמַּיִם וְהָרְקָק בְּקַרְקַע הַיָּם הוּא, מִפְּנֵי זֶה הָיָה הַמַּאֲמָר בָּהֶם בַּיּוֹם הַחֲמִישִׁי. וְכֵן אָמַר "יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם שֶׁרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה", כִּי הַדָּגִים גּוּפָם וְנַפְשָׁם מִן הַמַּיִם בִּדְבַר הָאֱלֹהִים שֶׁהֵבִיא לָהֶם רוּחַ מִן הַיְּסוֹדוֹת, לֹא כָּאָדָם שֶׁהִפְרִיד גּוּפוֹ מִנַּפְשׁוֹ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר "וַיִּיצֶר ה' אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם עָפָר מִן הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים" (בראשית ב':ז'). וְלֹא הִזְכִּיר בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי בַּצּוֹמֵחַ נֶפֶשׁ כְּלָל, כִּי אֵין כֹּחַ הַגִּדּוּל נֶפֶשׁ רַק בְּבַעֲלֵי הַתְּנוּעָה בִּלְבַד הִיא. וְעַל דַּעַת הַיְּוָנִים שֶׁאוֹמְרִים כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאֵין הַגִּדּוּל בַּמִּתְנוֹעֵעַ רַק בַּנֶּפֶשׁ, כָּךְ בַּצּוֹמֵחַ בַּנֶּפֶשׁ יִגְדַּל, יִהְיֶה הֶפְרֵשׁ, כִּי זֹאת נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, כְּלוֹמַר נֶפֶשׁ שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ חַיּוּת, כִּי יֵשׁ נֶפֶשׁ אֵין בָּהּ חַיּוּת וְהִיא נֶפֶשׁ הַצּוֹמַחַת. וְהִזְכִּירוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ (ב"ר מא א) בְּאִילָנֵי הַתְּמָרִים תַּאֲוָה, וְאוּלַי הוּא כֹּחַ בַּצְּמִיחָה לֹא יִקָּרֵא נֶפֶשׁ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND LET FOWL FLY ABOVE THE EARTH. On this fifth day the command of creation was given to the waters, and on the sixth day it was given to the earth. If so, the expression, *and let fowl fly above the earth*, must be interpreted as being connected with [the beginning of the verse which has the following meaning]: “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures and with fowl that will fly.” And the verse stating, *And the Eternal G-d formed out of the ground every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air*,¹⁸¹ [which seems to indicate that the fowl were created from the ground, not from the water, must be understood] as if it said: “And the Eternal G-d formed out of the earth every beast of the field, and He also formed every fowl of the air out of the water.” There are many verses like this. So also is the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer the Great in his Chapters,¹⁸² where he says: “On the fifth day he caused all winged fowl to swarm from the waters.” However, in the *Gemara*¹⁸³ the Sages differ on this point. Some, agreeing with the previously mentioned interpretation, say that all winged fowl were created from the waters, and some say that they were created from both — in their words, “they were created from the swamps.” If so, since the fowl sprang from the waters, and the swamps are at the bottom of the ocean, this is why the command concerning their creation took place on the fifth day.
Similarly He said, *Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures*, since both the body and soul of fish come from the waters by word of G-d Who brought upon them a spirit from the elements, unlike man, in whom He separated the body from his soul, as it is said, *And the Eternal G-d formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life*.¹⁸⁴ On the third day of creation when the plants came into being, He mentioned nothing at all concerning a soul because the power of growth which resides in plants is not a “soul;” only in moving beings is it a “soul.” And in the opinion of the Greeks, who say that just as in moving beings the power of growth is only through the soul, so also in the case of plants is the power of growth through a soul. The difference between them will be that the one [the moving being] is a *nefesh chayah (a living soul)*,¹⁸⁵. Same in Verse 24, in the creation of beasts, etc. that is, a soul in which there is life, for there is a soul which has no life and that is the soul of plants. Our Rabbis have mentioned “desire” in connection with date trees.¹⁸⁶ Perhaps this is a force in growth, but it cannot be called “a soul.”

footnotes:
¹⁸¹ Genesis 2:19.
¹⁸² Beginning of Chapter 9.
¹⁸³ Chullin 27b.
¹⁸⁴ Genesis 2:7.
¹⁸⁵ In Verse 20: Let the waters swarm with swarms of ‘nefesh chayah’ (a living soul)
¹⁸⁶ Bereshith Rabbah 44:1.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:21:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:21:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:21:1)

**וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הַתַּנִּינִם הַגְּדֹלִים** בַּעֲבוּר גֹּדֶל הַנִּבְרָאִים הָאֵלֶּה שֶׁיֵּשׁ מֵהֶם אָרְכָּם פַּרְסָאוֹת רַבּוֹת, הִגִּידוּ הַיְּוָנִים בְּסִפְרֵיהֶם שֶׁיָּדְעוּ מֵהֶם אֲרֻכִּים חֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת פַּרְסָה, וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ גַּם כֵּן הִפְלִיגוּ בָּהֶם (עיין ב"ב עג), בַּעֲבוּר זֶה יִחֵס בָּהֶם הַבְּרִיאָה לֵאלֹהִים כִּי הוּא שֶׁהִמְצִיאָם מֵאַיִן מִבְּרֵאשִׁית, כַּאֲשֶׁר פֵּרַשְׁתִּי לְשׁוֹן בְּרִיאָה (רמב"ן על בראשית א':א'), וְכֵן יַעֲשֶׂה בָּאָדָם לְמַעֲלָתוֹ, לְהוֹדִיעַ כִּי הוּא מוּצָא מֵאַיִן עִם דַּעְתּוֹ וְשִׂכְלוֹ. וַאֲנִי תָּמֵהַּ לָמָּה לֹא אָמַר בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה "וַיְהִי־‎כֵן". וְאוּלַי לֹא יִתָּכֵן לְהַזְכִּיר "וַיִּבְרָא" אַחֲרֵי "וַיְהִי־‎כֵן", כִּי מִבָּרִאשׁוֹנָה יְדַבֵּר. וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ אָמְרוּ (בבא בתרא עד) כִּי הַתַּנִּינִים הַגְּדוֹלִים הוּא לִוְיָתָן וּבַת זוּגוֹ, שֶׁבְּרָאָם זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה וְהָרַג הַנְּקֵבָה וּמְלָחָהּ לַצַּדִּיקִים לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא. וְאֶפְשָׁר כִּי מִפְּנֵי זֶה לֹא הָיָה רָאוּי שֶׁיֹּאמַר בָּהֶם "וַיְהִי־‎כֵן", כִּי לֹא עָמְדוּ עוֹד:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D CREATED THE GREAT SEA-MONSTERS. Because of the great size of these creatures, some consisting of many Persian miles — the Greeks in their books even relate that they knew some of them to be 500 Persian miles long, and our Rabbi likewise spoke of them in magnifying terms¹⁸⁷ — on account of that, Scripture explicitly ascribes their creation to G-d for He brought them forth from nought from the beginning, as I have explained the expression *b’riyah* (creation). Similarly, Scripture does so in the case of man¹⁸⁸. on account of his exaltedness, thus informing us that man, with his mind and reason, also came forth from nought.
I wonder why it does not say “and it was so” on this day? Perhaps it would not have been possible to mention *And He created* after saying, “and it was so,” since it refers to the preceding.¹⁸⁹, etc.) would have concluded with the expression *and it was so*, it would have implied the creation of the sea-monster, since they also swarm in the waters. How then could it say in the following verse, *And G-d created the sea-monster*, as if it were another act of creation? To say, *and it was so* after *vayibra* (And He created) is also not possible for this would be redundant. Hence on the fifth day, the expression *and it was so* does not appear in Scripture.
Our Rabbis have said¹⁹⁰ that *the great sea-monsters* are the Leviathan and its mate which He created male and female. He then slew the female and preserved it in salt for the benefit of the righteous in the hereafter. It is possible that on account of this it would not have been appropriate to say concerning their creation, “and it was so,” since they did not continue to exist [in the form in which they were created].

footnotes:
¹⁸⁷ Baba Bathra 73b.
¹⁸⁸ Verse 27: And G-d created man in His own image
¹⁸⁹ If Verse 20 (Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures
¹⁹⁰ Baba Bathra 74b.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:22:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:22:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:22:1)

**וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים לֵאמֹר** גָּזַר בָּהֶם הַבְּרָכָה וְאָמַר בָּהֶם שֶׁיִּפְרוּ וְיִרְבּוּ, כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁיַּעֲשׂוּ פֵּרוֹת רַבִּים שֶׁיּוֹצִיא הָאֶחָד רַבִּים כְּמוֹתוֹ. וְעִנְיַן הַבְּרָכָה בַּיְּלִידָה, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁאָמַר וּבֵרַכְתִּיהָ וְהָיְתָה לְגוֹיִם (בראשית י"ז:ט"ז). וְגַם בַּצְּמָחִים תָּבֹא לְשׁוֹן בְּרָכָה (ויקרא כה כא), וְצִוִּיתִי אֶת בִּרְכָתִי לָכֶם בַּשָּׁנָה הַשִּׁשִּׁית, אֲבָל לֹא נֶאֱמַר כֵּן בַּשְּׁלִישִׁי לְפִי שֶׁהַנִּבְרָאִים בְּכָל בַּעֲלֵי הַנֶּפֶשׁ הָיוּ שְׁנַיִם בִּלְבַד זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה לְמִינֵיהֶם, כָּעִנְיָן בָּאָדָם, וְהֻצְרְכוּ לִבְרָכָה שֶׁיִּרְבּוּ מְאֹד, אֲבָל בַּצְּמָחִים צָמְחוּ עַל פְּנֵי כָּל הָאֲדָמָה רַבִּים מְאֹד כַּאֲשֶׁר הֵם הַיּוֹם. וְלֹא אָמַר בַּבְּהֵמוֹת וּבַחַיּוֹת בְּרָכָה, שֶׁמִּזֹּאת הַגְּזֵרָה שֶׁגָּזַר בְּבַעֲלֵי הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַתְּנוּעָה שֶׁבַּמַּיִם הָרִבּוּי נִתְרַבּוּ בַּעֲלֵי נֶפֶשׁ הַתְּנוּעָה שֶׁבָּאֶרֶץ, כִּי בַּעֲלֵי נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְדַבֶּרֶת כֻּלָּם עִנְיָן אֶחָד בִּבְרִיאָתָם. וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ אָמְרוּ (ב"ר יא ג) כִּי בַּעֲבוּר הֱיוֹת בְּנֵי אָדָם צָדִים מֵהֶם וְאוֹכְלִים, הֻצְרְכוּ לִבְרָכָה:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D BLESSED THEM SAYING. He decreed the blessing on them and said of them that they should be fruitful and multiply, meaning that they should bring forth abundantly, that one creature should bring forth many like itself. The purport of the blessing is procreation, even as it says, *And I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations*.¹⁹¹ In connection with plants also, the term “blessing” applies: *Then I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year*.¹⁹² However, it does not say so on the third day [when the plants and trees were created] because all created *living* beings were only a single pair, male and female, according to their kind, and therefore they were in need of a blessing to bring forth abundantly; but in the case of plants, they sprang up over the face of the entire earth in great abundance, just as they exist today. Nor did He mention a blessing on the sixth day for cattle and beasts because in the decree of abundancy which He decreed for the moving souls in the waters there were included the moving souls on the earth, as all living souls that do not speak are in the same class of creation. And our Rabbis have said¹⁹³ that they [the fish and fowl] were in need of a blessing because people hunt them and eat them.¹⁹⁴

footnotes:
¹⁹¹ Genesis 17:16.
¹⁹² Leviticus 25:21.
¹⁹³ Bereshith Rabbah 11:2, and quoted here in Rashi.
¹⁹⁴ “Beasts also were in need of a blessing [for the same reason, namely, that people decrease their numbers by hunting them and eating them], but on account of the serpent that was to be cursed in the future, G-d did not bless them, in order that it might not be included in the blessing. “ Rashi.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:22:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:22:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:22:2)

**וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הַמַּיִם בַּיַּמִּים** בֵּרֵךְ אוֹתָם שֶׁיְּמַלְּאוּ לְרֻבָּם הַיַּמִּים אַף הַנְּחָלִים וְהָאֲגַמִּים, אוֹ שֶׁמִּלּוּאָם בַּיַּמִּים הוּא כִּי בַּנְּחָלִים מְעַטִּים הֵם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND FILL THE WATERS IN THE SEA. He blessed them that in their abundancy they would fill the seas, the streams and the pools. Or it may be that their “filling” is to be in the seas only for in the streams they are few.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:22:3
[Ramban on Genesis 1:22:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:22:3)

**וְהָעוֹף יִרֶב בָּאָרֶץ** אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁבְּרִיאָתוֹ מִן הַמַּיִם בִּרְכָתוֹ תִּהְיֶה בָּאָרֶץ, שֶׁיִּפְרוּ וְיִרְבּוּ עָלֶיהָ, כִּי אֵין בָּעוֹף שֶׁיַּטִּיל בֵּיצָיו בַּמַּיִם וְיִגְדְּלוּ שָׁם רַק הַשּׁוֹכְנִים תָּמִיד בַּמַּיִם וְנִזּוֹנִים מֵהֶם עוֹשִׂין בֵּיצֵיהֶם בָּאָרֶץ וְנוֹלָדִים בָּהּ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND LET FOWL MULTIPLY IN THE EARTH. Although the fowl were created out of the waters, their blessing — that they be fruitful and multiply — was to be on the earth for there is no fowl that lays its eggs in the waters and has them grow there. Even those fowl which abide always in the waters and derive their food from them lay their eggs on the earth, and there they are born.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:24:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:24:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:24:1)

**בְּהֵמָה** הֵם הַמִּינִים הָאוֹכְלִים עֵשֶׂב, בֵּין יִשּׁוּבִי בֵּין מִדְבָּרִי:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
CATTLE. These are the species that eat grass, whether domestic animals or those of the wilderness.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:24:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:24:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:24:2)

**וְחַיְתוֹ אֶרֶץ** אוֹכְלֵי הַבָּשָׂר יִקְרָא חַיּוֹת, וְכֻלָּם יִטְרוֹפוּ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND BEAST OF THE EARTH. Those which eat flesh are called *chayoth* (beasts), and they all seek and seize prey.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:24:3
[Ramban on Genesis 1:24:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:24:3)

**וָרֶמֶשׂ** כָּתַב רַשִׁ"י (רש"י על בראשית א':כ"ד) הֵם שְׁרָצִים נְמוּכִים וְרוֹמְשִׂים עַל הָאָרֶץ נִרְאִין כְּאִלּוּ נִגְרָרִין. וְהִנֵּה בַּפָּרָשָׁה הַזֹּאת (בראשית א':כ"ח) "וּבְכָל חַיָּה הָרֹמֶשֶׂת עַל הָאָרֶץ" וּכְתִיב (בראשית ז':כ"א) "וַיִּגְוַע כָּל בָּשָׂר הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבַחַיָּה וּבְכָל הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ" וּכְתִיב (תהלים קד כ) "בּוֹ תִרְמֹשׂ כָּל חַיְתוֹ יָעַר". אֲבָל פֵּרוּשׁ "רְמִישָׂה" כָּעִנְיָן בְּסָמֶ"ךְ, מִן "תִּרְמְסֶנָּה רָגֶל" (ישעיהו כו ו) וַחֲבֵרָיו, וְאָמַר בַּחַיָּה וּבַבְּהֵמָה "רֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ" וּבַשְּׁרָצִים הַנִּגְרָרִים "רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה" (בראשית א':כ"ה) בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁדְּרִיכָתָם בָּאֲדָמָה בְּכָל גּוּפָם:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
VAREMES’ (AND CREEPING THING). Rashi wrote: “These are creeping swarms that creep low upon the earth, appearing as though they are dragged along.” Now in this chapter we find: *And over every animal ‘haromeseth’ (that creepeth) upon the earth;*¹⁹⁵ and it is further written, *And all flesh ‘haromes’ (that moved) upon the earth perished, both fowl and cattle, and beasts, and every swarming thing that swarmeth upon the earth;*¹⁹⁶ also, *Wherein all the beasts of the forest ‘tirmos’ (do creep forth)*.¹⁹⁷ But the meaning of *r’misah* is as if it were written with the letter *samech*, as in *The foot tirm’senah (shall tread it down)*,¹⁹⁸ and other related expressions. He thus says of beasts and cattle, *‘romes’ (that tread) on the earth*,¹⁹⁹ and of creeping things that drag along, *‘remes’ (that creep) upon the ground*,²⁰⁰ because they tread on the ground with their entire body.

footnotes:
¹⁹⁵ Verse 28. Here Rashi’s interpretation could not apply to animal.
¹⁹⁶ Genesis 7:21.
¹⁹⁷ Psalms 104:20.
¹⁹⁸ Isaiah 26:6.
¹⁹⁹ Verse 26.
²⁰⁰ Verse 25.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:26:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:26:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:26:1)

**וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם** נִתְיַחֵד בַּעֲשִׂיַּת הָאָדָם מַאֲמָר בַּעֲבוּר גֹּדֶל מַעֲלָתוֹ, כִּי אֵין טִבְעוֹ כְּטֶבַע הַחַיָּה וְהַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא בַּמַּאֲמָר הַקּוֹדֵם לוֹ. וְהַפְּשָׁט הַנָּכוֹן בְּמִלַּת "נַעֲשֶׂה" הוּא מִפְּנֵי שֶׁכְּבָר הָרְאֵיתָ לָדַעַת (רמב"ן על בראשית א':א') כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים בָּרָא יֵשׁ מֵאַיִן בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן לְבַדּוֹ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ מִן הַיְּסוֹדוֹת הָהֵם הַנִּבְרָאִים יָצַר וְעָשָׂה, וְכַאֲשֶׁר נָתַן בַּמַּיִם כֹּחַ הַשֵּׁרוּץ לִשְׁרֹץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, וְהָיָה הַמַּאֲמָר בָּהֶם "יִשְׁרְצוּ הַמַּיִם" (בראשית א':כ'), וְהָיָה הַמַּאֲמָר בַּבְּהֵמָה "תּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ" (בראשית א':כ"ד), אָמַר בָּאָדָם "נַעֲשֶׂה", כְּלוֹמַר אֲנִי וְהָאָרֶץ הַנִּזְכֶּרֶת נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם, שֶׁתּוֹצִיא הָאָרֶץ הַגּוּף מִיְּסֹדֶיהָ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשְׂתָה בַּבְּהֵמָה וּבַחַיָּה, כְּדִכְתִיב (בראשית ב':ז') "וַיִּיצֶר ה' אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאָדָם עָפָר מִן הָאֲדָמָה", וְיִתֵּן הוּא יִתְבָּרַךְ הָרוּחַ מִפִּי עֶלְיוֹן, כְּדִכְתִיב (שם) "וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים". וְאָמַר "בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ", כִּי יִדְמֶה לִשְׁנֵיהֶם, בְּמַתְכֹּנֶת גּוּפוֹ לָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר לֻקַּח מִמֶּנָּה, וְיִדְמֶה בָּרוּחַ לָעֶלְיוֹנִים, שֶׁאֵינָהּ גּוּף וְלֹא תָּמוּת. וְאָמַר בַּכָּתוּב הַשֵּׁנִי בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ (בראשית א':כ"ז), לְסַפֵּר הַפֶּלֶא אֲשֶׁר נִפְלָא בּוֹ מִשְּׁאָר הַנִּבְרָאִים. וְזֶה פְּשַׁט הַמִּקְרָא הַזֶּה מְצָאתִיו לְרַבִּי יוֹסֵף הַקִּמְחִי, וְהוּא הַנִּרְאֶה מִכָּל מָה שֶׁחָשְׁבוּ בּוֹ. וּפֵרוּשׁ "צֶלֶם" כְּמוֹ תֹּאַר, "וּצְלֵם אַנְפּוֹהִי אֶשְׁתַּנִּי" (דניאל ג יט) וְכֵן "אַךְ בְּצֶלֶם יִתְהַלֶּךְ אִישׁ" (תהלים לט ז) "בָּעִיר צַלְמָם תִּבְזֶה" (שם עג כ) תֹּאַר מַרְאִיתוֹ, וּ"דְמוּת" הוּא דִּמְיוֹן בַּצּוּרָה וּבַמַּעֲשֶׂה, כִּי הַקְּרוֹבִים בָּעִנְיָן יִקָּרְאוּ דּוֹמִים זֶה לָזֶה. וְהִנֵּה הָאָדָם דּוֹמֶה לַתַּחְתּוֹנִים וְלָעֶלְיוֹנִים בְּתֹאַר וְהָדָר, כְּדִכְתִיב (שם ח ו) "וְכָבוֹד וְהָדָר תְּעַטְּרֵהוּ", וְהוּא מְגַמַּת פָּנָיו בְּחָכְמָה וּבְדַעַת וְכִשְׁרוֹן הַמַּעֲשֶׂה, וּבִדְמוּת מַמָּשׁ, שֶׁיִּדְמֶה גּוּפוֹ לֶעָפָר וְנַפְשׁוֹ לָעֶלְיוֹנִים:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D SAID: ‘LET US MAKE MAN.’ There was a special command dedicated to the making of man because of his great superiority since his nature is unlike that of beasts and cattle which were created with the preceding command.
The correct explanation of *na’aseh (let us make)* [which is in the plural form when it should have been in the singular] is as follows: It has been shown to you that G-d created something from nothing only on the first day, and afterwards He formed and made things from those created elements.²⁰¹ Thus when He gave the waters the power of bringing forth *a living soul*,²⁰² the command concerning them was *Let the waters swarm*.²⁰² The command concerning cattle was *Let the earth bring forth*.²⁰³ But in the case of man He said, *Let us make*, that is, I and the aforementioned earth, let us make man, the earth to bring forth the body from its elements as it did with cattle and beasts, as it is written, *And the Eternal G-d formed man of the dust of the ground*,²⁰⁴ and He, blessed be He, to give the spirit from His mouth, the Supreme One, as it is written, *And He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life*.²⁰⁴ And He said, *In our image, and after our likeness*, as man will then be similar to both. In the capacity of his body, he will be similar to the earth from which he was taken, and in spirit he will be similar to the higher beings, because it [the spirit] is not a body and will not die. In the second verse, He says, *In the image of G-d He created him*,²⁰⁵ in order to relate the distinction by which man is distinguished from the rest of created beings. The explanation of this verse I have found ascribed to Rabbi Joseph the Kimchite,²⁰⁶ and is the most acceptable of all interpretations that have been advanced concerning it.
The meaning of *tzelem* is as the word *to’ar* (appearance), as in *‘Vetzelem’ (And the appearance) of his face was changed;*²⁰⁷ similarly, *Surely ‘b’tzelem’ (as a mere appearance) man walketh;*²⁰⁸ *When Thou arousest Thyself ‘tzalmam’ (their appearance) Thou wilt despise*,²⁰⁹, 73:20. that is, the appearance of their countenance. And the meaning of the word *d’muth* is similarity in form and deed, as things that are akin in a certain matter are called similar to each other. Thus man is similar both to the lower and higher beings in appearance and honor, as it is written, *And Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor*,²¹⁰, 8:6. meaning that the goal before him is wisdom, knowledge, and skill of deed.²¹¹ In real likeness his body thus compares to the earth while his soul is similar to the higher beings.

footnotes:
²⁰¹ Fire, wind, water, and earth.
²⁰² Verse 20.
²⁰² Verse 20.
²⁰³ Verse 24.
²⁰⁴ Genesis 2:7.
²⁰⁴ Genesis 2:7.
²⁰⁵ Verse 27.
²⁰⁶ The father of Rabbi David Kimchi (R’dak, the famous grammarian and commentator of the Bible). The explanation is found in R’dak’s commentary to the Torah here as well as in his Sefer Hamichlal. In his works on Hebrew grammar and Bible, R’dak often mentions the interpretation of his father. Moses Kimchi, a second son to Joseph, also continued the tradition of the family.
²⁰⁷ Daniel 3:19.
²⁰⁸ Psalms 39:7.
²⁰⁹ Ibid.
²¹⁰ Ibid.
²¹¹ Ecclesiastes 2:21;4:4.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:26:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:26:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:26:2)

**וְיִרְדּוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם** בַּעֲבוּר הֱיוֹתוֹ זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה אָמַר "וְיִרְדּוּ" בִּדְגַת הַיָּם לְשׁוֹן רַבִּים. וּבִבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ז':ה') אָמְרוּ, "תּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה לְמִינָהּ", אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר "נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה" זוֹ רוּחוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן. וְלֹא יִתָּכֵן שֶׁיֹּאמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר כִּי "תּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ" יִתְפָּרֵשׁ בְּנַפְשׁוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן כְּלָל, אֶלָּא שֶׁיִּתְכַּוֵּן לְמָה שֶׁהִזְכַּרְתִּי, לוֹמַר כִּי יְצִירַת הָאָדָם בְּרוּחוֹ הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר בַּדָּם נַעֲשָׂה מִן הָאָרֶץ, כְּמַאֲמַר הַחַיָּה וְהַבְּהֵמָה, כִּי כָל נַפְשׁוֹת הַתְּנוּעָה נַעֲשׂוּ יַחַד, וְאַחַר כֵּן בָּרָא לָהֶם גּוּפוֹת. עָשָׂה תְּחִלָּה גּוּפֵי הַבְּהֵמָה וְהַחַיָּה וְאַחַר כָּךְ גּוּף הָאָדָם, וְנָתַן בּוֹ הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַזּוֹ וְאַחַר כֵּן נָפַח בּוֹ נְשָׁמָה עֶלְיוֹנִית, כִּי הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַנִּפְרֶדֶת אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ הִיא שֶׁנִּתְיַחֵד בָּהּ מַאֲמָר אַחֵר, אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר נְתָנָהּ, כְּדִכְתִיב (בראשית ב':ז') "וַיִּפַּח בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים". וְדֶרֶךְ הָאֱמֶת בַּפָּסוּק הַזֶּה יִוָּדַע לַמַּשְׂכִּיל בַּפָּסוּק הַשֵּׁנִי, וְאֶפְשָׁר שֶׁנִּתְכַּוֵּן לוֹ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר וְדָרַשׁ בְּ"תוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ" אֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים, שֶׁתּוֹצֵא נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה לְמִינָהּ לְעוֹלָם עוֹמֶדֶת. וְכֵן מָה שֶׁאָמַר "זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה בָּרָא אֹתָם" (להלן א כז, להלן ה ב), כִּי הָיְתָה הַבְּרִיאָה מִתְּחִלָּה מִזָּכָר וּנְקֵבָה, וְנִשְׁמָתוֹ כְּלוּלָה בָּהֶם, אֲבָל הַיְּצִירָה הָיְתָה יְצִירָה לָאָדָם וּבִנְיַן צֵלָע לָאִשָּׁה, כַּאֲשֶׁר יְסַפֵּר בַּסּוֹף. וְלָכֵן הִזְכִּיר כָּאן "בְּרִיאָה" וּבַפָּרָשָׁה שֶׁל מַטָּה הִזְכִּיר "יְצִירָה", וְהַמַּשְׂכִּיל יָבִין. וְטַעַם "וְיִרְדּוּ", שֶׁיִּמְשְׁלוּ בְּחָזְקָה בַּדָּגִים וּבָעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבְכָל הָרֶמֶשׂ, וְהַ"בְּהֵמָה" תִּכְלֹל הַחַיָּה. וְאָמַר "וּבְכָל הָאָרֶץ", שֶׁיִּמְשְׁלוּ בָּאָרֶץ עַצְמָהּ, לַעֲקֹר וְלִנְתֹּץ וְלַחְפֹּר וְלַחְצֹב נְחֹשֶׁת וּבַרְזֶל. וּלְשׁוֹן "רְדִיָּה", מֶמְשֶׁלֶת הָאָדוֹן בְּעַבְדּוֹ:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND LET THEM HAVE DOMINION OVER THE FISH OF THE SEA. On account of his [man’s] being male and female, he said, *And let ‘them’ have dominion over the fish of the sea*, in the plural.
In Bereshith Rabbah, the Rabbis have said:²¹² “*Let the earth bring forth a living soul after its kind*.²⁰³ Said Rabbi Elazar: ‘*A living soul* — this has reference to the spirit of the first man.’” Now it is impossible that Rabbi Elazar should say that the expression, *Let the earth bring forth*, be explained as having reference to the soul of the first man at all.²¹³ Instead, his intent is to say what I have mentioned, that the formation of man as regarding his spirit, namely, the soul which is in the blood, that was done from the earth, just as in the command of formation of the beasts and cattle. For the souls of all moving things were made at one time, and afterwards He created bodies for them. First He made the bodies of the cattle and the beasts, and then the body of man into whom He imparted this soul [which resides in the blood, and is akin to that of the cattle and beasts], and afterwards, He breathed into him a higher soul. For it is concerning this separate soul that a special command was devoted by G-d Who gave it, as it is written, *And He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life*.²⁰⁴
The way of truth in this verse [as to why Scripture begins with “man” in the singular — *let us make ‘man’* — and then uses the plural, *let ‘them’ have dominion*] will be known to him who understands the following verse [27, where the same change appears. It begins by stating, *in the image of G-d He created ‘him,’* and then uses the plural: *male and female He created ‘them’*.]
It is possible that Rabbi Elazar meant to explain the expression *Let the earth bring forth* as meaning “the earth of eternal life,” that it bring forth a living soul after its kind that will exist forever. Similarly, [we explain that when Scripture] said, *male and female He created them*,²⁰⁵ it is because man’s creation at first was male and female, and His soul was included in both of them. However, in the formation, man was formed first, and then He built the woman from the rib of man, as Scripture tells later. Therefore Scripture mentioned here the term “creation,” and in the chapter below it mentioned “formation.”²⁰⁴ The person learned [in the mysteries of the Torah] will understand.
The meaning of *let them have dominion* is that they shall rule vigorously over the fish, the fowl, the cattle, and all creeping things — “the cattle” here includes the beast.
And He said, *And over all the earth*, to indicate that they are to rule over the earth itself, to uproot and to pull down, to dig and to hew out copper and iron. The term *r’diyah — [’v’yirdu’ over the fish … and over all the earth]* — applies to the rule of the master over his servant.

footnotes:
²¹² 7:7.
²⁰³ Verse 24.
²¹³ Since man did not at all derive his higher soul from the earth at all.
²⁰⁴ Genesis 2:7.
²⁰⁵ Verse 27.
²⁰⁴ Genesis 2:7.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:28:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:28:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:28:1)

**וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים** זוֹ בְּרָכָה מַמָּשׁ, לְפִיכָךְ כָּתוּב בָּהּ "וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם אֱלֹהִים", אֲבָל לְמַעְלָה (כב) כָּתוּב "וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים לֵאמֹר", יְפָרֵשׁ שֶׁהַבְּרָכָה הִיא הַמַּאֲמָר שֶׁנָּתַן בָּהֶם כֹּחַ הַתּוֹלָדָה, לֹא דִּבּוּר אֶחָד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ בּוֹ מְבֹרָכִים.

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND G-D BLESSED THEM. This is an actual blessing [unlike Verse 22 where the blessing of the fish and fowl consisted of bestowing upon them the power of procreation]. Therefore, it is written here, *And G-d blessed them, and G-d said unto them*. But above in Verse 22 it is written, *And G-d blessed them, saying*, [the word *saying* indicating] that the blessing is the command of procreation, that He gave them the power of bringing forth offspring, and no other command with which they are to be blessed. [But in the case of man, in addition to the power of being fruitful, he was also blessed that he have dominion over the earth, hence Scripture continues, *and G-d said unto them*.]


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:28:2
[Ramban on Genesis 1:28:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:28:2)

**וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ** בְּרָכָה שֶׁיִּמָּלֵא הָעוֹלָם לְרֻבָּם. וּלְפִי דַּעְתִּי יְבָרֵךְ אוֹתָם שֶׁיְּמַלְּאוּ כָּל הָאָרֶץ וְיִפָּרְדוּ הַגּוֹיִם לְמִשְׁפְּחוֹתָם בְּקַצְוֵי תֵּבֵל לְרֻבָּם, וְלֹא יִהְיוּ בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד כְּמַחְשֶׁבֶת אַנְשֵׁי דּוֹר הַפַּלָּגָה:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND REPLENISH THE EARTH. This is a blessing that they fill the earth because of their numbers. In my opinion, He blessed them that they fill the whole earth, and that the nations should disperse according to their families and should populate the far ends of the world because of their numbers and not be concentrated in one place, as was the thought of the men of the generation of the dispersion.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:28:3
[Ramban on Genesis 1:28:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:28:3)

**וְכִבְשׁוּהָ** נָתַן לָהֶם כֹּחַ וּמֶמְשָׁלָה בָּאָרֶץ לַעֲשׂוֹת כִּרְצוֹנָם בַּבְּהֵמוֹת וּבַשְּׁרָצִים וְכָל זוֹחֲלֵי עָפָר, וְלִבְנוֹת וְלַעֲקֹר נָטוּעַ וּמֵהֲרָרֶיהָ לַחְצֹב נְחֹשֶׁת וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה. וְזֶה יִכְלֹל מָה שֶׁאָמַר "וּבְכָל הָאָרֶץ" (בראשית א':כ"ו):

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND SUBDUE IT. He gave them power and dominion over the earth to do as they wish with the cattle, the reptiles, and all that crawl in the dust, and to build, *and to pluck up that which is planted*,²¹⁴ and from its hills to dig copper, and other similar things. This is included in what He said *and over all the earth*.¹⁹⁹

footnotes:
²¹⁴ Ecclesiastes 3:2.
¹⁹⁹ Verse 26.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:28:4
[Ramban on Genesis 1:28:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:28:4)

**וּרְדוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם** אָמַר שֶׁיִּהְיוּ רוֹדִים גַּם בִּדְגֵי הַיָּם הַנִּכְסִים מֵהֶם, וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם שֶׁאֵינָם עִמָּהֶם בָּאֲדָמָה, גַּם בְּכָל חַיָּה רָעָה. וְסִדֵּר אוֹתָם כִּבְרִיאָתָם, הַדָּגִים וְהָעוֹף תְּחִלָּה וְהַחַיָּה אַחַר כֵּן. וְכָךְ אָמַר הַכָּתוּב (תהלים ח ז-ט), "תַּמְשִׁילֵהוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂי יָדֶיךָ כֹּל שַׁתָּה תַחַת רַגְלָיו צֹנֶה וַאֲלָפִים כֻּלָּם וְגַם בַּהֲמוֹת שָׂדָי צִפּוֹר שָׁמַיִם וּדְגֵי הַיָּם" וְגוֹ'. וְרַבּוֹתֵינוּ שָׂמוּ הֶפְרֵשׁ בֵּין כְּבִישָׁה וּרְדִיָּה:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND HAVE DOMINION OVER THE FISH OF THE SEA. He said that they should also have dominion over the fish that are concealed from them, *And over the fowl of the heaven* which are not on the ground, and also *over every wild animal*. He thus mentioned them in the order of their creation: first the fish and fowl, and afterwards the animals. So likewise Scripture says, *Thou hast made him have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: sheep and oxen, all of them, yea, and the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea*.²¹⁵ state them in this order” since in this quotation fowl and fish are after all mentioned last in order. Our Rabbis, however, have made a distinction between *kvishah* (subduing) and *r’diyah* (having dominion).²¹⁶ and *r’diyah* imply power and dominion, *r’diyah* also suggests *yeridah* (sinking low). Thus, if man is worthy he dominates (*rodeh*) over the beasts and cattle; if he is not worthy, he sinks lower (*yarud*) than they, and the beasts rule over him.

footnotes:
²¹⁵ Psalms 8:7-9. In Keseph Mezukak the author notes that this Scriptural quote should be preceded by the expression, “even if Scripture elsewhere does not
²¹⁶ Thus the Rabbis, in Bereshith Rabbah 8:12, say that while the terms kvishah


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:29:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:29:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:29:1)

**הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת כָּל עֵשֶׂב זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע** לֹא הִרְשָׁה לְאָדָם וּלְאִשְׁתּוֹ לְהָמִית בְּרִיָּה וְלֶאֱכֹל בָּשָׂר, אַךְ כָּל יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב יֹאכְלוּ יַחְדָּיו כֻּלָּם. וּכְשֶׁבָּאוּ בְּנֵי נֹחַ הִתִּיר לָהֶם בָּשָׂר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית ט':ג'), "כָּל רֶמֶשׂ אֲשֶׁר הוּא חַי לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה, כְּיֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת כֹּל" – כְּיֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב שֶׁהִתַּרְתִּי לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן הִתַּרְתִּי לָכֶם אֶת כֹּל. לְשׁוֹן רַשִׁ"י. (רש"י על בראשית א':כ"ט) וְכֵן פֵּרֵשׁ הָרַב בְּמַסֶּכֶת סַנְהֶדְרִין (נט ד"ה לא הותר), "וּלְכָל חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ", לָכֶם וְלַחַיּוֹת נָתַתִּי הָעֲשָׂבִים וְאֶת הָאִילָנוֹת וְ"אֶת כָּל יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב לְאָכְלָה". וְאִם כָּךְ יִהְיֶה פֵּרוּשׁ "אֶת כָּל יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב לְאָכְלָה" "וְאֶת כָּל יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב". וְאֵינוֹ כֵן, אֲבָל נָתַן לְאָדָם וּלְאִשְׁתּוֹ "כָּל עֵשֶׂב זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע" וְכָל פְּרִי עֵץ, וּלְחַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וּלְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם נָתַן "כָּל יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב", לֹא פְּרִי הָעֵץ וְלֹא הַזְּרָעִים, וְאֵין מַאֲכָלָם יַחַד כֻּלָּם בְּשָׁוֶה, אַךְ הַבָּשָׂר לֹא הֻרְשׁוּ בּוֹ עַד בְּנֵי נֹחַ כְּדַעַת רַבּוֹתֵינוּ, וְהוּא פְּשׁוּטוֹ שֶׁל מִקְרָא. וְהָיָה זֶה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁבַּעֲלֵי נֶפֶשׁ הַתְּנוּעָה יֵשׁ לָהֶם קְצָת מַעֲלָה בְּנַפְשָׁם, נִדְמוּ בָּהּ לְבַעֲלֵי הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַמַּשְׂכֶּלֶת, וְיֵשׁ לָהֶם בְּחִירָה בְּטוֹבָתָם וּמְזוֹנֵיהֶם וְיִבְרְחוּ מִן הַצַּעַר וְהַמִּיתָה, וְהַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר "מִי יוֹדֵעַ רוּחַ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם הָעֹלָה הִיא לְמָעְלָה וְרוּחַ הַבְּהֵמָה הַיֹּרֶדֶת הִיא לְמַטָּה לָאָרֶץ" (קהלת ג כא). וְכַאֲשֶׁר חָטְאוּ וְהִשְׁחִית כָּל בָּשָׂר אֶת דַּרְכּוֹ עַל הָאָרֶץ, וְנִגְזַר שֶׁיָּמוּתוּ בַּמַּבּוּל וּבַעֲבוּר נֹחַ הִצִּיל מֵהֶם לְקִיּוּם הַמִּין נָתַן לָהֶם רְשׁוּת לִשְׁחֹט וְלֶאֱכֹל כִּי קִיּוּמָם בַּעֲבוּרוֹ. וְעִם כָּל זֶה לֹא נָתַן לָהֶם הָרְשׁוּת בַּנֶּפֶשׁ וְאָסַר לָהֶם אֵבֶר מִן הַחַי. וְהוֹסִיף לָנוּ בַּמִּצְוֹת לֶאֱסֹר כָּל דָּם מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא מַעֲמָד לַנֶּפֶשׁ, כְּדִכְתִיב (ויקרא יז יד) "כִּי נֶפֶשׁ כָּל בָּשָׂר דָּמוֹ בְנַפְשׁוֹ הוּא, וָאֹמַר לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל: דַּם כָּל בָּשָׂר לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ כִּי נֶפֶשׁ כָּל בָּשָׂר דָּמוֹ הִוא", כִּי הִתִּיר הַגּוּף בְּחַי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְדַבֵּר אַחַר הַמִּיתָה, לֹא הַנֶּפֶשׁ עַצְמָהּ. וְזֶה טַעַם הַשְּׁחִיטָה, וּמָה שֶׁאָמְרוּ (ב"מ לב) "צַעַר בַּעֲלֵי חַיִּים דְּאוֹרָיְתָא", וְזוֹ בִּרְכָתֵנוּ שֶׁמְּבָרֵךְ "אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל הַשְּׁחִיטָה". וְעוֹד אֲדַבֵּר בְּעִנְיַן הַמִּצְוָה בַּדָּם בְּהַגִּיעִי שָׁם (ויקרא יז יא-יד) אִם גּוֹמֵר הַשֵּׁם עָלַי. וְטַעַם "אֶת כָּל עֵשֶׂב זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע וְאֶת כָּל הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ פְרִי עֵץ זֹרֵעַ זָרַע לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה", שֶׁיֹּאכְלוּ זֵרוּעֵי הָעֵשֶׂב, כְּגַרְגְּרֵי הַחִטָּה וְהַשְּׂעוֹרָה וְהַקִּטְנִיּוֹת וְזוּלָתָם, וְיֹאכְלוּ כָּל פְּרִי הָעֵץ, אֲבָל הָעֵץ עַצְמוֹ אֵינוֹ לָהֶם לְאָכְלָה, וְגַם לֹא הָעֵשֶׂב, עַד שֶׁנִּתְקַלֵּל אָדָם וְנֶאֱמַר לוֹ: "וְאָכַלְתָּ אֶת עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה" (בראשית ג':י"ח).

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN YOU EVERY HERB YIELDING SEED. He did not permit Adam and his wife to kill any creature and eat its meat, but all alike were to eat herbs. But when the era of “the sons of Noah” came, He permitted them to eat meat, as it is said, *Every moving thing that liveth shall be for food for you; as the green herb have I given you all;*²¹⁷ even as the green herb that I permitted to the first man, so do I permit you everything. Thus is the language of Rashi. And so did the Rabbi²¹⁸ explain it in Tractate Sanhedrin:²¹⁹ *“And to every beast of the earth*²²⁰ — to you and to the beasts I have given the herbs and the fruits of the trees, *and every green herb for food.”*²²⁰
But if so, then we must explain the expression, *every green herb for food*,²²⁰ to mean “*and* every green herb.”²²¹ and concludes with *every green herb for food*, are to be understood as one command since both man and beast were permitted the same food. In that case, Verse 30 should read: “*and* every green herb,” that is, in addition to *every herb yielding seed… and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed* mentioned in Verse 29, they could also eat *every green herb*. But this is not so. Rather, He gave to man and his wife every herb yielding seed and all fruit of the trees [as mentioned in Verse 29], and to the beasts of the earth and the fowl of the heaven He gave all green herb [as mentioned in Verse 30] but neither the fruit of the tree nor the seeds. The food of all of them was thus not the same. However, meat was not permitted to them until the time of the “sons of Noah,”²²² as is the opinion of our Rabbis. And this is the plain meaning of the verse.
The reason for this [prohibition of eating meat] was that creatures possessing a moving soul have a certain superiority as regards their soul, resembling in a way those who possess the rational soul: they have the power of choice affecting their welfare and their food, and they flee from pain and death. And Scripture says: *Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goes downward to the earth?*²²³
But when they sinned, and *all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth*,²²⁴ and it was decreed that they die in the flood, and for the sake of Noah He saved some of them to preserve the species, He gave the sons of Noah permission to slaughter and eat them since their existence was for his sake.²²⁵ sake,” a reference to all three sons of Noah who were also righteous. See Ramban further, 2:3, where he discusses the profounder meanings of the elements created on the second day, and he writes that they symbolize Noah and his sons as all having been *tzadikim* (righteous men). Yet with all this, He did not give them permission regarding the soul thereof, and He prohibited them from eating a limb cut off from a living animal, and in addition He gave us [the children of Israel] the commandment prohibiting the eating of all blood because it is the basis of the soul, as it is written: *For the life of all flesh, the blood thereof is all one with the life thereof; therefore I said to the children of Israel: Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh; for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof*.²²⁶ Thus He has permitted the eating of the body of dumb animals after death, but not the soul itself.
This indeed is the reason for the commandment of killing [animals in the prescribed manner before eating their flesh], and for the saying of the Rabbis:²²⁷ “The duty of relieving the suffering of beasts is a Biblical requirement.” And this is the meaning behind the benediction which we make before killing animals: “[Blessed art Thou, O Eternal our G-d, king of the universe] Who hast sanctified us by His commandments and commanded us concerning the killing [of animals].” I will yet discuss the purport of the commandment prohibiting the eating of blood when I reach thereto,²²⁸ if G-d will reward me.
The meaning of the expression, *every herb yielding seed… and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food*, is that they should eat the seeds of herbs, such as the grains of wheat, barley, beans, and the like, and that they should eat all fruits of the tree; but the tree itself was not given to them for food, nor was the herb itself until man was cursed and he was told, *And thou shalt eat the herb of the field*.²²⁹

footnotes:
²¹⁷ Genesis 9:3.
²¹⁸ Rashi.
²¹⁹ 59b.
²²⁰ Verse 30.
²²⁰ Verse 30.
²²⁰ Verse 30.
²²¹ The intent of Ramban’s remark is as follows: if, as according to Rashi, man and beast were made alike with respect to their permitted food, then Verse 29, which specifies the food for man, and Verse 30, which begins with and to every beast of the earth
²²² After the flood all people of all time were commanded to observe as a minimum the following seven precepts: (a) to establish courts of justice; (b) to abstain from idolatry; (c) incest; (d) murder; (e) robbery; (f) blasphemy; and (g) eating flesh cut from living animals. These are the laws of Noachids, or “sons of Noah.” (See further Ramban 34:13.) At that time permission was given them to eat meat, the reason for which is explained in the text.
²²³ Ecclesiastes 3:21.
²²⁴ Genesis 6:12.
²²⁵ That is, Noah’s sake. The Tur’s version reads “their
²²⁶ Leviticus 17:14.
²²⁷ Shabbath 128b.
²²⁸ Leviticus 17:14.
²²⁹ Genesis 3:18.


###### Ramban on Genesis 1:31:1
[Ramban on Genesis 1:31:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Ramban%20on%20Genesis/r/1:31:1)

**וְהִנֵּה טוֹב מְאֹד** הוּא הַקִּיּוּם כַּאֲשֶׁר פֵּרַשְׁתִּי (לעיל פסוקים ד י יב). וְטַעַם "מְאֹד" כְּטַעַם רִבּוּי. וְהוֹסִיף בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה לֵאמֹר כֵּן בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁיְּדַבֵּר בַּכְּלָל וְיִמָּצֵא רַע בִּקְצָתוֹ, וְאָמַר כִּי טוֹב מְאֹד, מְאֹדוֹ טוֹב. וְזֶהוּ מַאֲמָרָם בִּבְרֵאשִׁית רַבָּה (בראשית רבה ט':ה'), וְהִנֵּה טוֹב מְאֹד וְהִנֵּה טוֹב זֶה מָוֶת, וְכֵן הִזְכִּירוּ (שם יא) זֶה יֵצֶר הָרַע, וְזוֹ מִדַּת פֻּרְעָנוּת. וּלְזֶה גַּם נִתְכַּוֵּן אוּנְקְלוֹס (תרגום אונקלוס על בראשית א':ל"א) שֶׁאָמַר בְּכָאן "וְהָא תַּקֵּין לַחֲדָא", יֹאמַר שֶׁהוּא מְתֻקַּן הַסֵּדֶר מְאֹד, כִּי הָרָע צָרִיךְ בְּקִיּוּם הַטּוֹב, כָּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (קהלת ג א) "לַכֹּל זְמָן וְעֵת לְכָל חֵפֶץ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם". וְיֵשׁ מְפָרְשִׁים כִּי מִפְּנֵי מַעֲלַת הָאָדָם הוֹסִיף בְּשֶׁבַח הַיְּצִירָה בּוֹ כִּי הוּא טוֹב מְאֹד:

**Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976:**
AND, BEHOLD, IT WAS VERY GOOD. This signifies their permanent existence, as I have explained.²³⁰ The meaning of the word *me’od* (very) is “mostly.” On this sixth day He added this word because he is speaking of creation in general which contains evil in some part of it. Thus He said that *it was very good*, meaning its *me’od* is good [thus conveying the thought that even the small part of it which is evil is basically also good, as is explained further on]. It is this thought which is the basis of the saying of the Rabbis in Bereshith Rabbah:²³¹ “*And, behold, it was very good. And, behold, it was good* — this refers to death.” Similarly the Rabbis mentioned, “This means the evil inclination in man,”²³², 9. “Were it not for the evil inclination, no one would build a house or marry a woman.” and, “This means the dispensation of punishment.”²³³ “He considers well how to mete it out” so as to cause a minimum of suffering. Onkelos also intended to convey this thought for he said here, “And, behold, it was very orderly,” meaning that the order was very properly arranged since the evil is needed for the preservation of the good, just as it is said, *To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven*.²³⁴ Some Rabbis explain²³⁵ that on account of the superiority of man, He added special praise on his formation, i.e., that he is “very good.”

footnotes:
²³⁰ Above in Verses 4 and 12.
²³¹ 9:5.
²³² Ibid.
²³³ Ibid.
²³⁴ Ecclesiastes 3:1.
²³⁵ Bereshith Rabbah 9:14.