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Genesis 2:15 - Man's sacred duty in Eden

Genesis 2:15 - בראשית 2:15

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקַּח יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָאָדָם וַיַּנִּחֵהוּ בְגַן־עֵדֶן לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ׃

English Translation

And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of ῾Eden to till it and to keep it.

Transliteration

Vayikach Adonai Elohim et-ha'adam vayanihehu b'gan-eden l'avdah ul'shamrah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקַּ֛ח יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּ בְגַן־עֵ֔דֶן לְעׇבְדָ֖הּ וּלְשׇׁמְרָֽהּ׃
וַיִּקַּ֛ח יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּ בְגַן־עֵ֔דֶן לְעׇבְדָ֖הּ וּלְשׇׁמְרָֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Bereishit 2:15) describes Hashem placing Adam in Gan Eden with a dual purpose: "לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ" ("to till it and to keep it"). This directive establishes humanity's role in the world—both physical labor (avodah) and spiritual guardianship (shemirah).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi interprets "לְעָבְדָהּ" as referring to agricultural work—tending to the garden's needs—while "וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ" means safeguarding the garden from harm or misuse. He emphasizes that Adam's labor was not burdensome but purposeful, aligning with the natural harmony of creation before the sin.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (1:2), Rambam suggests that Adam's role in Gan Eden symbolizes humanity's intellectual and spiritual mission. The garden represents the ideal state where one cultivates wisdom (avodah) while adhering to divine commandments (shemirah). The physical act of tending the garden parallels the soul's duty to refine the world.

Midrashic Insights

  • Bereishit Rabbah (16:5): The Midrash teaches that "לְעָבְדָהּ" alludes to the mitzvah of avodat Hashem (divine service), while "וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ" refers to avoiding transgression. This frames Adam's task as a prototype for Torah observance.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Kedoshim 7): Expands on the idea that humanity's stewardship of Gan Eden mirrors our responsibility to sanctify the physical world (kedushat ha'olam).

Kabbalistic Interpretation (Zohar)

The Zohar (Bereishit 27a) associates "לְעָבְדָהּ" with elevating the sparks of holiness in creation (birur nitzotzot) and "וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ" with maintaining boundaries (seder ha'olam). Adam's role was to unify the spiritual and material realms through divine service.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 56b) derives the Sheva Mitzvot Bnei Noach (Noahide Laws) from this verse, teaching that humanity's basic ethical and spiritual obligations originate in Gan Eden. The phrase "לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ" thus serves as a foundation for universal divine service.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 56b
The verse is cited in the discussion of the Noachide laws, particularly regarding the commandment to establish courts of justice, which is derived from the phrase 'to till it and to keep it.'
📖 Avodah Zarah 8a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the origins of human labor and divine commandments related to work and stewardship of the earth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 2:15 mean when it says Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden 'to till it and to keep it'?
A: According to Rashi, this verse teaches that Adam was given the responsibility to work the garden (לעבדה) by planting and cultivating it, and to guard it (לשמרה) by preventing damage or misuse. The Sforno adds that this was meant to elevate Adam's spiritual state through purposeful labor.
Q: Why is the Garden of Eden important in Judaism?
A: The Garden of Eden represents the ideal state of closeness between G-d and humanity before the sin of the Tree of Knowledge. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah) describes it as a place of spiritual purity where Adam served G-d through his work. It remains a symbol of humanity's potential relationship with the Divine.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Adam being commanded to work and guard the Garden?
A: The Rambam teaches that this verse establishes humanity's role as stewards of G-d's creation. Just as Adam was commanded to work and protect the garden, we are obligated to responsibly use and preserve the world G-d entrusted to us (based on the principle of bal tashchit - not wantonly destroying).
Q: How does the concept of 'working and guarding' in Genesis 2:15 apply to Jewish life today?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 56b) connects this verse to broader mitzvot - 'working' represents positive commandments (mitzvot aseh) while 'guarding' represents negative commandments (mitzvot lo ta'aseh). Just as Adam had responsibilities in Eden, we have spiritual obligations in our daily lives.
Q: Does Genesis 2:15 mean physical work is important in Judaism?
A: Yes. The Kli Yakar explains that physical labor was part of humanity's purpose even before the sin - it wasn't a punishment but an elevation. The Torah Temimah notes that working the land was considered sacred service, a concept later applied to the mitzvah of working the Land of Israel.