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Whenever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that
even G-ds omnipotence did not extend to G-ds kids. After creating heaven and earth,
G-d created Adam and Eve. And the first thing He said to them was: Dont.
Dont what? Adam asked.
Dont eat the Forbidden Fruit. G-d replied.
Forbidden fruit? We got Forbidden Fruit? Hey, Eve ... we got Forbidden Fruit!
No way! Where?
Dont eat that fruit! said G-d.
Why?
Because I am your Creator and I said so! said G-d, wondering why he hadnt
stopped after making the elephants.
A few minutes later G-d saw the kids having an apple break and was angry.
Didnt I tell you not to eat that fruit? the First Parent asked.
Uh huh, Adam replied.
Then why did you?
I dunno, Eve answered.
She started it! Adam said.
Did not!
DID so!
DID NOT!
Having had it with the two of them, G-ds punishment was that Adam and Eve should
have children of their own...thus the pattern was set, and it has never changed.
Bill Cosby
Outline
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What was the very first instruction given to Adam and Chava (Eve)?
G-d blessed them and said to them
be fruitful and multiply, fill the land and
conquer it; rule over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the heavens and over all living things
that walk the earth.
Genesis 1:28
Similarly, the first instructions given to Noah after the flood include the following
And you, be fruitful and multiply. Populate the :
land and grow numerous in it.
Genesis 9:7
Why have two instructions that seem to say the same thing?
Do you notice any indications in the verses themselves which would support Rashis explanation?
Why are these ideas (spilling of blood and having children) put together in the same verse?
This is saying that even during a time when there
is warfare and blood shed in the world, you
should not consider thisrather you should be
fruitful and multiply;
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According to this explanation, why were there two statements (one to Adam and Chavah and one to Noah)
How does this compare with Rashis explanation?
How does the Meshech Chochmahs explanation relate to the Jewish people in the twentieth century?
Consider also:
G-d blessed Noah and his family and instructed
them to multiply and fill the earth, meaning ,
that from now they should not fear putting their ,
efforts for naught and having children to no ,
purpose, like their antecedents, for fear that the
land will be destroyed due to the evil of those
who reside upon it.
Akeidat Yitzchak section 15
Where were Adam and Chava living when they were told to have children?
Chizkuni ad loc
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What reasons can you think of for the mitzvah of having children?
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How many of the Ten Commandments can you name (its not easy!)?
As we try to better understand this mitzvah, try to focus on how it can help shed light on
parenting.
The root of this mitzvah is that it is fitting for ,
a person to recognize and appreciate when ,
someone has done something good for them, and
,
a person should not be unappreciative and deny
that good, for this is an absolutely abhorrent trait .
in the eyes of G-d and of people. ,
, ,
A person should consider that his or her father
and mother are the reason why they are in this
world, and therefore it is fitting to do for them
any honor and service possible, for they have
brought you into the world, and expended great
effort when you were young.
Chinuch (mitzvah 33)
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And further:
When this trait is established in ones heart a
person will proceed from this to recognize the ,
good that G-d has done for them, for G-d is the ,
persons source and the source of our ancestors , ,
until Adam;
,
,
G-d has brought us into the world and sustained
us in all of our needs; G-d has fashioned our
:
form and the completeness of our bodies;
In light of what we have learned, why does G-d view honoring parents as honoring Himself?
How can being a parent thus help develop our relationship with G-d?
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