ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף בראשית 3:17

Midrash Tanchuma at the beginning of Parshat Kedoshim, states "you shall be holy because I am holy." G'd said to Israel: "before I created the universe, the angels used to praise Me, using your name. They said "blessed be the Lord G'd of Israel from time immemorial until the end of time." When Adam had been created, the angels said before the Almighty: "Lord of the universe, is this the one whose name we use when we praise You?" G'd replied:"no. This one is a thief, since it is recorded that he ate from the tree." (Genesis 3) When Noach appeared, the angels asked G'd again whether he was the one whose name they used when they praised G'd, and G'd replied that Noach was a drunkard, as it is stated in Genesis 9,21, "he drank of the wine and became drunk." When Abraham arose, the angels said to G'd that surely this must be the one. G'd said that he was a gentile since he had sired Ishmael. When Isaac appeared, the angels again felt sure that he must be the one whose name they recited when praising G'd; again G'd told them "this one loves the one who hates Me." (Genesis 25) When Jacob appeared, the angels said "this is he." G'd said to them "yes." It is written in Genesis 35,10, "your name shall not be Jacob anymore, your name shall be Israel" All the Jewish people will bear his name. At that hour, G'd sanctified Israel with His name, as it is written in Isaiah 49,3, "Israel, through you I become glorified. The holy One said to Israel "since you bore My holy name even before the universe had been created, attain holiness like Myself!" This is the meaning of the verse "be holy for I am holy."

We read in Midrash Rabbah Deut. 4, that the Rabbis say "there are people who benefit by listening, whereas others lose out by listening." Adam lost out by having listened to his wife, as the Torah says "because you have listened to your wife...you will have to toil in the sweat of your brow,..the earth will be cursed on your account etc.." (Genesis 3,17) On the other hand, Abraham listened to his wife, as is recorded in Genesis 16,6. "Abraham listened to his wife Sarah." The Lord said: "if he who listened to his wife benefitted, how much more will he benefit who listenes to Me." Proverbs 1,33, tells us "he who listens to Me, will dwell securely, not concerned with fear of evil."