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Genesis 1:25 - Divine order in creation's creatures.

Genesis 1:25 - בראשית 1:25

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ לְמִינָהּ וְאֶת־הַבְּהֵמָה לְמִינָהּ וְאֵת כָּל־רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה לְמִינֵהוּ וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי־טוֹב׃

English Translation

And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the earth after its kind: and God saw that it was good.

Transliteration

Va'ya'as Elohim et-chayat ha'aretz le'mina ve'et-habehema le'mina ve'et kol-remes ha'adama le'minehu va'yar Elohim ki-tov.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֣עַשׂ אֱלֹהִים֩ אֶת־חַיַּ֨ת הָאָ֜רֶץ לְמִינָ֗הּ וְאֶת־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־רֶ֥מֶשׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ אֱלֹהִים֩ אֶת־חַיַּ֨ת הָאָ֜רֶץ לְמִינָ֗הּ וְאֶת־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־רֶ֥מֶשׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃

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Parasha Commentary

Creation According to Their Kinds

The verse states that God created the animals of the earth, cattle, and creeping creatures each "after their kind" (לְמִינָהּ). Rashi (Bereshit 1:25) explains that this phrase emphasizes that each species was created with its own distinct characteristics and reproductive boundaries, ensuring they would not intermingle with other species. This reflects the divine wisdom in maintaining order in creation.

The Significance of "God Saw That It Was Good"

The concluding phrase, "and God saw that it was good," is analyzed by the Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:13) as indicating that each creature fulfills its intended purpose in the divine plan. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 9:4) further elaborates that "good" signifies harmony—each species exists in balance with the others, contributing to the stability of the world.

Distinction Between Beasts, Cattle, and Creeping Creatures

  • Beasts of the earth (חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ): The Ibn Ezra (Bereshit 1:25) notes that these refer to wild animals, which roam freely and are not domesticated.
  • Cattle (בְּהֵמָה): Rashi explains that these are domesticated animals, useful to humanity for labor and sustenance.
  • Creeping creatures (רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה): The Ramban (Bereshit 1:24) interprets these as small animals that move close to the ground, such as insects and reptiles, each fulfilling a unique role in the ecosystem.

Divine Order and Human Responsibility

The Talmud (Chullin 60a) derives from this verse that all creatures were created with a purpose, and humanity must respect their boundaries. The Sforno (Bereshit 1:25) adds that recognizing the goodness in creation leads to gratitude and ethical stewardship, as humanity is entrusted with preserving the natural order established by God.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 60a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the creation of animals and their categorization, emphasizing the divine order in creation.
📖 Berakhot 39b
Mentioned in the context of blessings over different kinds of food, relating to the diversity of creation as described in the verse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 1:25 mean when it says God made animals 'after their kind'?
A: The phrase 'after their kind' means that each animal species was created with its own distinct characteristics and ability to reproduce according to its type. Rashi explains that this teaches us that all creatures were created with the ability to perpetuate their own species, maintaining the order Hashem established in creation.
Q: Why does the verse say 'God saw that it was good' after creating animals?
A: The statement 'God saw that it was good' appears after each stage of creation to show that everything was made perfectly according to Hashem's plan. The Midrash teaches that this phrase emphasizes that each creature fulfills its purpose in creation, contributing to the harmony of the world.
Q: What is the significance of separating animals into different categories (beasts, cattle, creeping things)?
A: The Torah categorizes animals to show the diversity and order in creation. Rambam explains that these distinctions highlight Hashem's wisdom in creating different types of creatures, each with unique roles in the ecosystem. This also lays the foundation for later halachic distinctions between animals in Jewish law.
Q: How does Genesis 1:25 relate to the concept of respecting animals?
A: This verse teaches us that since Hashem declared animals 'good' and created them with purpose, we must treat them with respect. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 32b) derives from this the prohibition of causing unnecessary suffering to animals (tza'ar ba'alei chayim), showing that their creation was intentional and valuable.
Q: What lesson can we learn today from Genesis 1:25 about biodiversity?
A: The verse teaches that Hashem intentionally created diverse species, each with its own purpose. This reminds us of our responsibility to preserve biodiversity. The Ramban explains that destroying species contradicts the divine plan expressed in this verse, as we are meant to be stewards of creation, not disruptors of its balance.