וְאָדָ֣ם בִּ֭יקָר בַּל־יָלִ֑ין נִמְשַׁ֖ל כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹת נִדְמֽוּ׃
Or les hommes ne se perpétuent pas dans leur splendeur; semblables aux animaux, ils ont une fin.
Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)
R. Oshia said in the name of Rab (Fol. 60b) "The [earth for the] body of Adam was taken from Babylon, [for] his head from Palestine, and [for] all other members, from all other countries;" and [the earth for] his rump, R. Jochanan said: "It was taken from Akra of Agma." R. Acha b. Chanina said: "A day consisted of twelve hours. The first hour the earth for his body was gathered: the second hour it became an unformed body, and in the third his limbs were shaped; in the fourth the soul entered the body, in the fifth he arose on his feet, in the sixth he named all the beasts and animals, in the seventh Eve was brought to him, in the eighth there went to bed two persons, and four persons came out of it; in the ninth he was commanded not to eat of the tree, in the tenth he sinned, in the eleventh he was tried, and in the twelfth he was driven out of the Garden of Eden, as it is said (Ps. 49, 13) And Adam though in his splendor endureth not."
Bereshit Rabbah
“God blessed the seventh day [and sanctified it]” – Rabbi Yishmael said: He blessed it with manna and He sanctified it with manna. He blessed it with manna in that all the days of the week one omer [of manna] would fall, while on the day before Shabbat two omers would fall.2An extra omer for Shabbat. He sanctified it with manna, as it did not fall on it [on Shabbat] at all. Rabbi Natan says: He blessed it with manna and sanctified it with a blessing.3The Shabbat blessing recited over a cup of wine. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: He blessed it with manna and sanctified it through the gatherer.4Someone who gathered wood in the wilderness on Shabbat and was put to death (Numbers 15:32–36). The harsh penalty demonstrates the awesome, inviolable sanctity of Shabbat.
He blessed it with apparel.5One should wear fine clothing on Shabbat. Rav Huna said: He should change his clothing.6He must change from everyday clothing into special Shabbat garb. Rabbi Ḥiyya said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: He should mix [garments].7If one does not have a complete set of Shabbat clothing, he should at least mix one fine item into the everyday clothing he will wear on Shabbat. Avin bar Ḥisdai said: He should lower [his garments].8If someone does not have any special garments for Shabbat, he should at least wear his ordinary garment in a distinctive manner, e.g., by lengthening it. Rabbi Yirmeya and Rabbi Ze’eira were walking together [on Shabbat], and the outer garment of Rabbi Yirmeya was raised up,9That type of garment was ordinarily worn folded in order that it be elevated off the ground. but Rabbi Ze’eira lowered his.10By releasing the fold. This shows that one should lower [one’s garments for Shabbat].
Rabbi Elazar says: He blessed it with [the Shabbat] candle,11By enabling it to last longer than usual. and there was an incident involving me [that illustrates this]. One time I kindled a candle on Shabbat eve, and I came and found it burning at the conclusion of Shabbat, and nothing [of the oil] was diminished.
He blessed it with the radiance of a person’s face, He sanctified it with the radiance of a person’s face. The radiance of a person’s face all the days of the week is not comparable to the way it is on Shabbat.
He blessed it with the lights.12The primordial light of creation, which was hidden away because of Adam’s sin. Rabbi Shimon bar Yehuda of Kefar Akko says in the name of Rabbi Shimon: Even though the lights were cursed on the day before Shabbat,13When Adam sinned. they were not stricken until the conclusion of Shabbat. This is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Ami, as Rabbi Ami said: Adam the first man, his glory14The primordial light. did not spend the night with him.15It was abolished on the day of his creation, before Shabbat. What is the source? “Man [adam] will not go to rest in his splendor; he is like the beasts that perish” (Psalms 49:13). The Rabbis say: His glory did spend the night with him, and only at the conclusion of Shabbat was his radiance taken from him, as He expelled him from the Garden of Eden. That is what is written: “You alter his countenance and send him away” (Job 14:20).
When the sun set on Shabbat eve, the Holy One blessed be He sought to put away the [primordial] light, but He accorded honor to Shabbat. That is what is written: “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it” – He blessed it with light. When the sun set on Shabbat eve the [primordial] light continued to function.16Even at night. Everyone began praising [God]; that is what is written: “Under all the heavens they sing His praises,17The Midrash interprets yishrehu as being related to shira, song. and His light is to the ends of the earth” (Job 37:3). Why was this?18Why is it that “under all the heavens they sing His praises”? Because “His light is to the ends of the earth.”
Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi Simon said: By the light that the Holy One blessed be He created on the first day, a person could look out and see from one end of the world to the other end. When the Holy One blessed be He looked at the people of the generation of the Flood and the people of the generation of the Dispersion, whose actions were to be corrupt, He arose and hid it away and designated it for the righteous in the future. From where is it derived that He hid it away? It is as it is stated: “Their light will be withheld from the wicked, and the upraised arm will be broken” (Job 38:15). And from where is it derived that He designated it for the righteous in the future? It is as it is stated: “But the path of the righteous is like a dawning light, growing brighter until the day is established” (Proverbs 4:18).
Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Ze’eira: That [primordial] light functioned for thirty-six hours – twelve on the day before Shabbat, twelve on the night of Shabbat, and twelve on Shabbat. As the sun set at the conclusion of Shabbat, darkness began approaching, and Adam the first man became afraid, as it is stated: “And I said that darkness will envelop me [yeshufeni]; night for me is light,” (Psalms 139:11) – that one [the serpent] in whose regard it is written: “He will strike you [yeshufekha] with his head, and you will strike him [teshufenu] with your heel” (Genesis 3:15), is now coming to confront me.19The serpent represents death, as it was through its evil machinations that Adam sinned and was condemned to death. What did the Holy One blessed be He do? He prepared for him two flint stones and he struck them one against the other. Light emerged from them and he recited a blessing over it. That is what is written: “Night for me is light.” What blessing did he recite over it? [Blessed be God] Who creates the lights of fire. This is in accordance with the opinion of Shmuel, as Shmuel said: Why does one recite a blessing over light at the conclusion of Shabbat? It is because that time was the beginning of its creation. Rav Huna in the name of Rav and Rabbi Abahu in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One recites a blessing over it [light] at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, as well, because fire rested all that day.20It is forbidden to make a fire all day on Yom Kippur.
He blessed it with apparel.5One should wear fine clothing on Shabbat. Rav Huna said: He should change his clothing.6He must change from everyday clothing into special Shabbat garb. Rabbi Ḥiyya said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: He should mix [garments].7If one does not have a complete set of Shabbat clothing, he should at least mix one fine item into the everyday clothing he will wear on Shabbat. Avin bar Ḥisdai said: He should lower [his garments].8If someone does not have any special garments for Shabbat, he should at least wear his ordinary garment in a distinctive manner, e.g., by lengthening it. Rabbi Yirmeya and Rabbi Ze’eira were walking together [on Shabbat], and the outer garment of Rabbi Yirmeya was raised up,9That type of garment was ordinarily worn folded in order that it be elevated off the ground. but Rabbi Ze’eira lowered his.10By releasing the fold. This shows that one should lower [one’s garments for Shabbat].
Rabbi Elazar says: He blessed it with [the Shabbat] candle,11By enabling it to last longer than usual. and there was an incident involving me [that illustrates this]. One time I kindled a candle on Shabbat eve, and I came and found it burning at the conclusion of Shabbat, and nothing [of the oil] was diminished.
He blessed it with the radiance of a person’s face, He sanctified it with the radiance of a person’s face. The radiance of a person’s face all the days of the week is not comparable to the way it is on Shabbat.
He blessed it with the lights.12The primordial light of creation, which was hidden away because of Adam’s sin. Rabbi Shimon bar Yehuda of Kefar Akko says in the name of Rabbi Shimon: Even though the lights were cursed on the day before Shabbat,13When Adam sinned. they were not stricken until the conclusion of Shabbat. This is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis, and not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Ami, as Rabbi Ami said: Adam the first man, his glory14The primordial light. did not spend the night with him.15It was abolished on the day of his creation, before Shabbat. What is the source? “Man [adam] will not go to rest in his splendor; he is like the beasts that perish” (Psalms 49:13). The Rabbis say: His glory did spend the night with him, and only at the conclusion of Shabbat was his radiance taken from him, as He expelled him from the Garden of Eden. That is what is written: “You alter his countenance and send him away” (Job 14:20).
When the sun set on Shabbat eve, the Holy One blessed be He sought to put away the [primordial] light, but He accorded honor to Shabbat. That is what is written: “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it” – He blessed it with light. When the sun set on Shabbat eve the [primordial] light continued to function.16Even at night. Everyone began praising [God]; that is what is written: “Under all the heavens they sing His praises,17The Midrash interprets yishrehu as being related to shira, song. and His light is to the ends of the earth” (Job 37:3). Why was this?18Why is it that “under all the heavens they sing His praises”? Because “His light is to the ends of the earth.”
Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi Simon said: By the light that the Holy One blessed be He created on the first day, a person could look out and see from one end of the world to the other end. When the Holy One blessed be He looked at the people of the generation of the Flood and the people of the generation of the Dispersion, whose actions were to be corrupt, He arose and hid it away and designated it for the righteous in the future. From where is it derived that He hid it away? It is as it is stated: “Their light will be withheld from the wicked, and the upraised arm will be broken” (Job 38:15). And from where is it derived that He designated it for the righteous in the future? It is as it is stated: “But the path of the righteous is like a dawning light, growing brighter until the day is established” (Proverbs 4:18).
Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Ze’eira: That [primordial] light functioned for thirty-six hours – twelve on the day before Shabbat, twelve on the night of Shabbat, and twelve on Shabbat. As the sun set at the conclusion of Shabbat, darkness began approaching, and Adam the first man became afraid, as it is stated: “And I said that darkness will envelop me [yeshufeni]; night for me is light,” (Psalms 139:11) – that one [the serpent] in whose regard it is written: “He will strike you [yeshufekha] with his head, and you will strike him [teshufenu] with your heel” (Genesis 3:15), is now coming to confront me.19The serpent represents death, as it was through its evil machinations that Adam sinned and was condemned to death. What did the Holy One blessed be He do? He prepared for him two flint stones and he struck them one against the other. Light emerged from them and he recited a blessing over it. That is what is written: “Night for me is light.” What blessing did he recite over it? [Blessed be God] Who creates the lights of fire. This is in accordance with the opinion of Shmuel, as Shmuel said: Why does one recite a blessing over light at the conclusion of Shabbat? It is because that time was the beginning of its creation. Rav Huna in the name of Rav and Rabbi Abahu in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan said: One recites a blessing over it [light] at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, as well, because fire rested all that day.20It is forbidden to make a fire all day on Yom Kippur.
Devarim Rabbah
“This is the blessing” – that is what the verse said: “Many women have performed valiantly, but you have surpassed them all” (Proverbs 31:29). What is, “but you have surpassed them all”? It is speaking of Moses, because he was exalted over them all. How so? Adam the first man says to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I was created in the image of the Holy One blessed be He.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). Moses says to him: ‘I am more exalted than you, as you, the glory that was given to you was taken from you, as it is stated: “Man [Adam] does not abide in honor” (Psalms 49:13). But I, the radiance of my face that the Holy One blessed be He gave me, it remains with me.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “His eye had not dimmed, and his vitality had not departed” (Deuteronomy 34:7).
Another matter, Noah said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I was delivered from the generation of the Flood.’ Moses said to him: ‘I am more exalted than you, as you saved yourself, but you did not have the ability to save your generation. But I saved myself and saved my generation when they incurred liability to be eradicated due to the [sin of the Golden] Calf.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “The Lord reconsidered the evil that He had spoken of doing to His people” (Exodus 32:14). To what is the matter comparable? It is to two ships that were at sea, and there were two captains in them. One saved himself but did not save his ship, and one saved himself and his ship. Whom do they laud? Is it not the one who saved himself and his ship? So, Noah saved only himself, but Moses saved himself and his generation. That is, “but you have surpassed them all.”
Another matter, Abraham said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I would provide sustenance to the passersby.’ Moses said to him: ‘I am more exalted than you, as you would provide sustenance for uncircumcised people, but I provided sustenance for circumcised people. Moreover, you would provide sustenance in the settled area, and I would provide sustenance in the wilderness.’ Isaac said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you as I extended my neck upon the altar and saw the countenance of the Divine Spirit.’ Moses said to him: ‘I am more exalted than you, as you saw the countenance of the Divine Presence and your eyes dimmed.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is written: “It was when Isaac was old, his eyes dimmed from seeing” (Genesis 27:1). What is “from seeing”? It is from seeing the Divine Presence. ‘But I would speak with the Divine Presence face to face and my eyes did not dim.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face was radiant” (Exodus 34:29). Jacob said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I encountered the angel and overcame him.’ Moses said to him: ‘You encountered the angel in your environment, but I ascended to them in their environment, and they fear me.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “The kings of armies [malkhei tzevaot]8This is being interpreted as referring to angels. flee again and again…” (Psalms 68:13). That is why Solomon said: “Many women have performed valiantly, [but you have surpassed them all].” The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Since he was exalted above everyone, he will bless Israel’ – “this is the blessing.”
Another matter, Noah said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I was delivered from the generation of the Flood.’ Moses said to him: ‘I am more exalted than you, as you saved yourself, but you did not have the ability to save your generation. But I saved myself and saved my generation when they incurred liability to be eradicated due to the [sin of the Golden] Calf.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “The Lord reconsidered the evil that He had spoken of doing to His people” (Exodus 32:14). To what is the matter comparable? It is to two ships that were at sea, and there were two captains in them. One saved himself but did not save his ship, and one saved himself and his ship. Whom do they laud? Is it not the one who saved himself and his ship? So, Noah saved only himself, but Moses saved himself and his generation. That is, “but you have surpassed them all.”
Another matter, Abraham said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I would provide sustenance to the passersby.’ Moses said to him: ‘I am more exalted than you, as you would provide sustenance for uncircumcised people, but I provided sustenance for circumcised people. Moreover, you would provide sustenance in the settled area, and I would provide sustenance in the wilderness.’ Isaac said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you as I extended my neck upon the altar and saw the countenance of the Divine Spirit.’ Moses said to him: ‘I am more exalted than you, as you saw the countenance of the Divine Presence and your eyes dimmed.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is written: “It was when Isaac was old, his eyes dimmed from seeing” (Genesis 27:1). What is “from seeing”? It is from seeing the Divine Presence. ‘But I would speak with the Divine Presence face to face and my eyes did not dim.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face was radiant” (Exodus 34:29). Jacob said to Moses: ‘I am greater than you, as I encountered the angel and overcame him.’ Moses said to him: ‘You encountered the angel in your environment, but I ascended to them in their environment, and they fear me.’ From where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “The kings of armies [malkhei tzevaot]8This is being interpreted as referring to angels. flee again and again…” (Psalms 68:13). That is why Solomon said: “Many women have performed valiantly, [but you have surpassed them all].” The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Since he was exalted above everyone, he will bless Israel’ – “this is the blessing.”