Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day' mean in Genesis 1:19?
A: This verse describes the completion of the fourth day of Creation, when Hashem established the sun, moon, and stars (as mentioned in the preceding verses). The sequence 'evening and morning' teaches, according to Rashi, that the Jewish day begins at nightfall, following the order described here.
Q: Why does the Torah mention 'evening' before 'morning' in describing each day of Creation?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 83a) explains that this order ('evening and then morning') establishes the Jewish concept that a new day begins at nightfall. This is why Shabbat and all Jewish holidays start in the evening. Rambam (Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh 5:4) also follows this principle for calendar calculations.
Q: What was created on the fourth day according to Genesis 1:19?
A: On the fourth day, Hashem created the sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14-18). Rashi explains that though light was created on the first day, these celestial bodies were only set in their proper positions and functions on the fourth day to mark seasons, days, and years.
Q: How does Genesis 1:19 relate to the Jewish calendar today?
A: This verse establishes the Torah's definition of a day (starting at night), which forms the basis for the Jewish calendar. All Jewish holidays, Shabbat observance, and halachic times (like candle-lighting) follow this 'evening first' principle derived from Creation's description.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the orderly progression of Creation described in Genesis 1:19?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) teaches that the deliberate, step-by-step nature of Creation shows Hashem's wisdom and that everything has its proper time and place. Just as the fourth day had its specific purpose in Creation, every person has a unique role to fulfill in the world.
The Structure of Creation
The verse "וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם רְבִיעִי" (And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day) follows the pattern established in the previous days of Creation, emphasizing the orderly progression of time. Rashi (Bereshit 1:5) explains that the mention of evening before morning teaches that the Jewish day begins at nightfall, a principle foundational to halachic timekeeping (based on the phrase "וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר").
The Significance of the Fourth Day
On the fourth day, Hashem created the sun, moon, and stars (Bereshit 1:14-19). The Ramban (Bereshit 1:14) notes that these celestial bodies were created to serve as signs (otot) for seasons, days, and years, fulfilling both practical and spiritual roles. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 3:8) elaborates that the luminaries were created on the fourth day to correspond to the fourth of the Ten Commandments—the mitzvah of Shabbat—which is intrinsically linked to the cycle of time marked by the sun and moon.
Evening Preceding Morning: A Spiritual Lesson
The sequence of evening before morning carries deeper meaning. The Talmud (Megillah 20b) derives from this that the night precedes the day in all matters of holiness, such as the observance of Shabbat and festivals. The Sefat Emet (Bereshit, Likutim) teaches that this order symbolizes the spiritual journey from darkness to light—reflecting the process of tikkun (rectification) in the world.
Key Themes from Traditional Sources