share torah logo

Genesis 2:5 - Rain awaits man's labor?

Genesis 2:5 - בראשית 2:5

Hebrew Text

וְכֹל שִׂיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ וְכָל־עֵשֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִצְמָח כִּי לֹא הִמְטִיר יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים עַל־הָאָרֶץ וְאָדָם אַיִן לַעֲבֹד אֶת־הָאֲדָמָה׃

English Translation

And no plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet grown: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

Transliteration

Vechol siach hasadeh terem yihyeh ba'aretz vechol-esev hasadeh terem yitzmach ki lo himtir Adonai Elohim al-ha'aretz ve'adam ayin la'avod et-ha'adamah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכֹ֣ל <b>׀</b> שִׂ֣יחַ הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה טֶ֚רֶם יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֔רֶץ וְכׇל־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה טֶ֣רֶם יִצְמָ֑ח כִּי֩ לֹ֨א הִמְטִ֜יר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאָדָ֣ם אַ֔יִן לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת־הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃
וְכֹ֣ל ׀ שִׂ֣יחַ הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה טֶ֚רֶם יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֔רֶץ וְכׇל־עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה טֶ֣רֶם יִצְמָ֑ח כִּי֩ לֹ֨א הִמְטִ֜יר יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאָדָ֣ם אַ֔יִן לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת־הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Verse Context in Creation

The verse (Bereshit 2:5) describes the state of the world before the creation of man. Rashi explains that this passage comes to answer why Hashem created man—because there was no one to recognize the necessity of rain for vegetation. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 13:3) elaborates that the plants were "awaiting" the prayers of Adam HaRishon, teaching that human involvement is essential for Divine blessings to manifest in the physical world.

The Absence of Rain

Ramban notes that the verse emphasizes Hashem withheld rain because "there was no man to work the soil." This implies a fundamental relationship between human labor and Divine providence: rain—a symbol of bracha (blessing)—only descends when humanity actively participates in cultivating the world. The Talmud (Chullin 60b) connects this idea to tefillah (prayer), suggesting that rain represents reciprocal Divine response to human spiritual and agricultural efforts.

Adam's Role as a Partner in Creation

  • Avodat HaAdamah (Working the Land): Sforno teaches that Adam was meant to elevate physical matter through labor, transforming wilderness into cultivated land—a microcosm of humanity’s mission to sanctify the material world.
  • Tefillah as Catalyst: The Kli Yakar highlights that "no herb had grown" until Adam prayed, illustrating that human prayer activates natural processes. This aligns with the Zohar’s view that Adam’s creation completed the spiritual-physical balance needed for growth.

Halachic and Philosophical Implications

Rambam (Hilchot Ta’anit 1:1-3) derives from this verse that rainfall is contingent on merit, linking agricultural success to collective righteousness. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) expands this concept, stating that Adam’s absence symbolized a world lacking tikkun (rectification), as human action is required to draw down Divine abundance—a principle foundational to Jewish thought on free will and partnership with Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 60b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the creation of plants and the role of rain in their growth, highlighting the sequence of creation events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 2:5 mean when it says there was no rain and no man to work the ground?
A: According to Rashi, this verse teaches that initially, plants did not grow because two things were missing: rain and human cultivation. Hashem withheld rain because there was no human being to appreciate and pray for it. This shows the partnership between humans and Hashem in sustaining creation.
Q: Why is Genesis 2:5 important in understanding creation?
A: This verse is important because it reveals that Hashem designed the world to require human participation. The Midrash explains that although vegetation was created on the Third Day, it waited beneath the surface until Adam was created to recognize Hashem's kindness and pray for rain. This teaches us about humanity's role in completing creation.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 2:5 about prayer?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 60b) derives from this verse that rain only falls in response to human prayer. Just as the world waited for Adam to pray for rain, we learn that our tefillot (prayers) are essential for sustaining the world. This teaches us the power and responsibility of human prayer in Hashem's plan.
Q: How does Genesis 2:5 apply to our relationship with nature today?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 9:1) explains that this verse establishes humanity's role as partners with Hashem in perfecting the world. Just as Adam was needed to cultivate the land, we must responsibly work and care for the earth. This forms the Jewish basis for environmental stewardship and agricultural mitzvot like shmitta (sabbatical year).
Q: Why didn't plants grow before Adam was created according to Genesis 2:5?
A: Rashi explains that plants didn't grow because they were waiting for two things: 1) Rain, which wouldn't come until Adam prayed for it, showing human dependence on Hashem, and 2) A human to work the soil, demonstrating that physical labor is part of our divine service. This teaches that creation reaches its purpose through human effort directed toward Hashem.