BH
The Baal Tshuva in the Parsha:
Bereshit : “Ayeko- A Call To Tshuva
After Adam eats from the Tree of Knowledge, the Bible describes how G-d calls him, before confronting him with his sin. As the verse states: "And the Lord G-d called to man, and said to him where thou art?” (Koran Chumash- Genesis 3:9). The commentaries differ to the reason and purpose of this call and its meaning.
Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki -Rashi -comment on this is; “He [G-d] knew where he was but He asked where Adam was to enter into conversation with him so that he should not be afraid to answer, [as he would be] if He should punish him suddenly (B.R.). - (S.S. & R Publishing).
The Sefsie Chachomim on Rashi (Genesis 4:9) explains, that G-d's intent in asking Adam where he was, instead of punishing him suddenly, was in the hope Adam would respond to G-d's call, by saying " Chatosi - I have sinned" and would then do Tshuva . - see Chumash Shai L'mora [R.E. Mizrachi Gur Aryai]).
Instead of admitting his guilt and achieve forgiveness, he denied it and receive punishment.
Indeed the simple reading of the text implies that Adam did not do Tshuva then.
When Adam was asked by G-d, “Hast thou eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee that thou should not eat?"? Adam answered, “The women whom Thou didst give to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" (Koran Chumash- Genesis 3:11, 12). This verse speaks volumes; he blamed his wife!
More perplexing is that it seems that only after Qayen did tshuva, did Adam do so.
As the Midrash (Berishit Rabbah- 22) relates that when Adam met his son Qayen, after being punishment by G-d’s for killing his brother Hevel and Qayen was happy, (Genesis 4 - 8-16), Adam did not understand.
He asked: “What happened with your judgment”? Said Qayen: “I did Tshuva and was saved" said Adam:” So (great) is the power of Tshuva...I did not know"! Immediately Adam stood up and began to sing "Mizmor Shir Lyom Hashabos" (which refers to tshuva).
See too the Zohar (54:2 Tosefta) that states, Qayen told Adam, he was forgiven because he did tshuva and (By) admitted his guilt.
Adam then does the same and more; He singes praises, does tshuva and as well admits his guilt before G-d.
However other sources seem to indicate that Adam did do tshuva earlier.
Either after he heard, G-d’s punishment or before then, right after he ate from the tree and felt naked.
To understand this let us review the verse, "But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for on the day that thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die " (Koran Chumash -Genesis 2:17).
Why then did Adam live and not die the same day he ate from the tree?
The Torat Shelomo quotes the Zohar Chadosh (Bereshit 19), as soon as Adam was sent out of the Garden of Eden, he thought he would die. Adam began to cry, plead and do tshuva. G-d accepted his tshuva and had compassion on Adam and gave him a thousand years of life.
The Alshich as well (Sefer Toras Moshe -Bereshit) explains that the "Hascholas Hatshuva” - “The Beginning" of Adams tshuva, began right after he ate from the tree and realized he was naked of "holiness”.
Furthermore, the Alshich explains, it was because of this tshuva, Adam was able to still hear the "Kol Hashem" to him, even after sinning.
Having seen these various commentaries, regarding Adams tshuva or lack thereof.
The question really is; where was Adam self awareness that is essential to the tshuva process?
Did not the father of all men, made by G-d’s own hand, not realize, on his own, he had done wrong?
Did Adam need to feel the pain of punishment or the example of Qayen, a murderer to show him the power of tshuva, to realize he must do so?
In the Sefer Bais Genoza by Rabbi Rafael Moshe Luria, he explains what Adam learnt from Qayen regarding tshuva.
Rabbi Luria explains that initially Adam thought tshuva was only to achieve "mchila” G-d's forgiveness. Seeing Qayen was "bsimcha" and being informed of Qayens tshuva , he now understood that tshuva can in addition be "M’saken" , "Correct" that which was been broken , not only to avoid punishment. Or in Chassidic terminology, the first tshuva was to avoid punishment the second to correct the effect sin had on creation. The first, out of fear, the second out of love.
In the end we see that Adam did indeed have awareness of self that is vital to realization of G-d’s plan. However there are many levels to tshuva as there to sin. With each sin committed, whether his own, Qayen or others, a new and deeper level of tshuva was revealed to Adam.
The Zahor (Bereshit) says that the word "Aiyeko" and "Aicho" are spelled the same in Hebrew, only with different vowels. G-d was telling Adam that by eating of the tree, it will lead to the destruction of the Temple and to the book of "Aicho" - Lamentations. However in the end the Temple will be rebuild and death, which came about by eating of the tree, will seize to exist.
To conclude with a story of the Alter Rebbe and the call of G-d to each of us; Aiyeko" where are you?
When the Alter Rebbe was in prison for teaching Chassidism the minister of education, came to see him and he asked.
"Rabbi, I believe the Bible is true, but I have a question that really bothers me. The Bible tells us that after Adam had eaten from the tree of knowledge G-d asked him, 'Where are you?' (Gen. 3:9).
"This makes no sense to me. What difference did it make where Adam was? And even if it was important, why did G-d ask? Doesn't G-d know everything?"
The Rebbe replied "Rashi, the greatest of Torah commentators, explains that G-d wanted to hear Adam's answer and began a conversation."
"I know that" replied the Minster. "I know what Rashi says. I'm interested to hear what you say, Rabbi."
The Rebbe looked at the minister and replied. "I say that Adam means not just the first man but every man. The Torah is informing us here that G-d asks every man at every instant 'Where are you?'
"For instance you," the Rebbe looked the Minister in the eyes and continued. "Where are you? What have you done with the fifty two years of your life? (The Rebbe told him his exact age). Have you lived according to the Torah? Have you done anything lasting and true or just accumulated egotistic achievements?"
The minister was shaken to the very essence of his being and humbly left the cell. (Adapted from Ohr Timmim)
I would like to add based on the earlier commentaries, that “Aiyko” is a “Call To Tshuva”.
Gd is asking Man all the time “Ayeko” When will you do Tshuva ?
To contact me please email me at rabbiyw@yahoo.com
The Baal Tshuva in the Parsha:
Bereshit : “Ayeko- A Call To Tshuva
After Adam eats from the Tree of Knowledge, the Bible describes how G-d calls him, before confronting him with his sin. As the verse states: "And the Lord G-d called to man, and said to him where thou art?” (Koran Chumash- Genesis 3:9). The commentaries differ to the reason and purpose of this call and its meaning.
Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki -Rashi -comment on this is; “He [G-d] knew where he was but He asked where Adam was to enter into conversation with him so that he should not be afraid to answer, [as he would be] if He should punish him suddenly (B.R.). - (S.S. & R Publishing).
The Sefsie Chachomim on Rashi (Genesis 4:9) explains, that G-d's intent in asking Adam where he was, instead of punishing him suddenly, was in the hope Adam would respond to G-d's call, by saying " Chatosi - I have sinned" and would then do Tshuva . - see Chumash Shai L'mora [R.E. Mizrachi Gur Aryai]).
Instead of admitting his guilt and achieve forgiveness, he denied it and receive punishment.
Indeed the simple reading of the text implies that Adam did not do Tshuva then.
When Adam was asked by G-d, “Hast thou eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee that thou should not eat?"? Adam answered, “The women whom Thou didst give to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" (Koran Chumash- Genesis 3:11, 12). This verse speaks volumes; he blamed his wife!
More perplexing is that it seems that only after Qayen did tshuva, did Adam do so.
As the Midrash (Berishit Rabbah- 22) relates that when Adam met his son Qayen, after being punishment by G-d’s for killing his brother Hevel and Qayen was happy, (Genesis 4 - 8-16), Adam did not understand.
He asked: “What happened with your judgment”? Said Qayen: “I did Tshuva and was saved" said Adam:” So (great) is the power of Tshuva...I did not know"! Immediately Adam stood up and began to sing "Mizmor Shir Lyom Hashabos" (which refers to tshuva).
See too the Zohar (54:2 Tosefta) that states, Qayen told Adam, he was forgiven because he did tshuva and (By) admitted his guilt.
Adam then does the same and more; He singes praises, does tshuva and as well admits his guilt before G-d.
However other sources seem to indicate that Adam did do tshuva earlier.
Either after he heard, G-d’s punishment or before then, right after he ate from the tree and felt naked.
To understand this let us review the verse, "But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for on the day that thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die " (Koran Chumash -Genesis 2:17).
Why then did Adam live and not die the same day he ate from the tree?
The Torat Shelomo quotes the Zohar Chadosh (Bereshit 19), as soon as Adam was sent out of the Garden of Eden, he thought he would die. Adam began to cry, plead and do tshuva. G-d accepted his tshuva and had compassion on Adam and gave him a thousand years of life.
The Alshich as well (Sefer Toras Moshe -Bereshit) explains that the "Hascholas Hatshuva” - “The Beginning" of Adams tshuva, began right after he ate from the tree and realized he was naked of "holiness”.
Furthermore, the Alshich explains, it was because of this tshuva, Adam was able to still hear the "Kol Hashem" to him, even after sinning.
Having seen these various commentaries, regarding Adams tshuva or lack thereof.
The question really is; where was Adam self awareness that is essential to the tshuva process?
Did not the father of all men, made by G-d’s own hand, not realize, on his own, he had done wrong?
Did Adam need to feel the pain of punishment or the example of Qayen, a murderer to show him the power of tshuva, to realize he must do so?
In the Sefer Bais Genoza by Rabbi Rafael Moshe Luria, he explains what Adam learnt from Qayen regarding tshuva.
Rabbi Luria explains that initially Adam thought tshuva was only to achieve "mchila” G-d's forgiveness. Seeing Qayen was "bsimcha" and being informed of Qayens tshuva , he now understood that tshuva can in addition be "M’saken" , "Correct" that which was been broken , not only to avoid punishment. Or in Chassidic terminology, the first tshuva was to avoid punishment the second to correct the effect sin had on creation. The first, out of fear, the second out of love.
In the end we see that Adam did indeed have awareness of self that is vital to realization of G-d’s plan. However there are many levels to tshuva as there to sin. With each sin committed, whether his own, Qayen or others, a new and deeper level of tshuva was revealed to Adam.
The Zahor (Bereshit) says that the word "Aiyeko" and "Aicho" are spelled the same in Hebrew, only with different vowels. G-d was telling Adam that by eating of the tree, it will lead to the destruction of the Temple and to the book of "Aicho" - Lamentations. However in the end the Temple will be rebuild and death, which came about by eating of the tree, will seize to exist.
To conclude with a story of the Alter Rebbe and the call of G-d to each of us; Aiyeko" where are you?
When the Alter Rebbe was in prison for teaching Chassidism the minister of education, came to see him and he asked.
"Rabbi, I believe the Bible is true, but I have a question that really bothers me. The Bible tells us that after Adam had eaten from the tree of knowledge G-d asked him, 'Where are you?' (Gen. 3:9).
"This makes no sense to me. What difference did it make where Adam was? And even if it was important, why did G-d ask? Doesn't G-d know everything?"
The Rebbe replied "Rashi, the greatest of Torah commentators, explains that G-d wanted to hear Adam's answer and began a conversation."
"I know that" replied the Minster. "I know what Rashi says. I'm interested to hear what you say, Rabbi."
The Rebbe looked at the minister and replied. "I say that Adam means not just the first man but every man. The Torah is informing us here that G-d asks every man at every instant 'Where are you?'
"For instance you," the Rebbe looked the Minister in the eyes and continued. "Where are you? What have you done with the fifty two years of your life? (The Rebbe told him his exact age). Have you lived according to the Torah? Have you done anything lasting and true or just accumulated egotistic achievements?"
The minister was shaken to the very essence of his being and humbly left the cell. (Adapted from Ohr Timmim)
I would like to add based on the earlier commentaries, that “Aiyko” is a “Call To Tshuva”.
Gd is asking Man all the time “Ayeko” When will you do Tshuva ?
To contact me please email me at rabbiyw@yahoo.com
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