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Genesis 3:19 - Labor's curse, dust's return.

Genesis 3:19 - בראשית 3:19

Hebrew Text

בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ תֹּאכַל לֶחֶם עַד שׁוּבְךָ אֶל־הָאֲדָמָה כִּי מִמֶּנָּה לֻקָּחְתָּ כִּי־עָפָר אַתָּה וְאֶל־עָפָר תָּשׁוּב׃

English Translation

in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return.

Transliteration

B'ze'at apeicha tochal lechem ad shuvcha el-ha'adama ki mimenah lukachta ki-afar atah ve'el-afar tashuv.

Hebrew Leining Text

בְּזֵעַ֤ת אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙ תֹּ֣אכַל לֶ֔חֶם עַ֤ד שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כִּ֥י מִמֶּ֖נָּה לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ כִּֽי־עָפָ֣ר אַ֔תָּה וְאֶל־עָפָ֖ר תָּשֽׁוּב׃
בְּזֵעַ֤ת אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙ תֹּ֣אכַל לֶ֔חֶם עַ֤ד שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כִּ֥י מִמֶּ֖נָּה לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ כִּֽי־עָפָ֣ר אַ֔תָּה וְאֶל־עָפָ֖ר תָּשֽׁוּב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Divine Decree of Labor and Mortality

The verse (Bereshit 3:19) describes the consequences of Adam's sin, introducing the necessity of labor and the inevitability of death. Rashi explains that "in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread" signifies that man will no longer effortlessly receive sustenance as in Gan Eden, but must toil for his livelihood. This reflects a fundamental change in the human condition after the sin of the Tree of Knowledge.

The Cycle of Dust to Dust

The phrase "for dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return" is interpreted by Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 8:1) as a reminder of human mortality and humility. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 20:10) elaborates that this serves as an ethical lesson - just as dust is trodden upon yet ultimately produces fruit, so too should man maintain humility while recognizing his potential for growth.

Four Levels of Interpretation

  • Peshat (Literal): Physical labor becomes necessary for survival, and death becomes part of human existence (Ibn Ezra).
  • Remez (Allusion): The "sweat" alludes to the spiritual effort required in serving Hashem (Alshich).
  • Derash (Homiletic): The Sages (Avot d'Rabbi Natan 11:1) teach that this verse comes to temper human arrogance by reminding us of our origins.
  • Sod (Esoteric): The Zohar (1:53a) interprets this as describing the soul's journey back to its source after completing its earthly mission.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 38b) derives from "for out of it wast thou taken" that burial in the earth is the proper method for handling the dead, as it completes the cycle described in the verse. This forms the basis for the halachic requirement of earth burial (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 362).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 90b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the resurrection of the dead, where it is interpreted to imply that just as man returns to dust, he will also be revived from dust.
📖 Eruvin 100b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the hardships of human labor and the consequences of Adam's sin, illustrating the divine decree that man must toil for his sustenance.
📖 Avodah Zarah 5a
The verse is mentioned in a broader discussion about the nature of human toil and the divine justice meted out to Adam and his descendants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread' mean in Genesis 3:19?
A: This verse describes the consequence of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden. According to Rashi, it means that human beings must now work hard to earn their sustenance, unlike before when food was easily available. The 'sweat of thy face' symbolizes the toil and effort required to produce food and survive.
Q: Why does the verse say 'for dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return'?
A: This reminds us of human mortality and humility. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 38b) explains that Adam was created from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), and this verse teaches that physical death returns the body to its original state. The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 8:3) notes that reflecting on this helps a person stay humble and focus on spiritual growth.
Q: How does Genesis 3:19 apply to our lives today?
A: This verse teaches us two key lessons: 1) Work is necessary for survival, and we should appreciate the effort behind our sustenance (Midrash Tanchuma, Bereishit 26). 2) Recognizing our mortality ('to dust you shall return') inspires us to use our time wisely for mitzvot and Torah study (Pirkei Avot 3:1).
Q: Is there any positive meaning behind 'to dust you shall return'?
A: Yes. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 20:10) explains that while the body returns to dust, the soul returns to Hashem. This teaches that physical life is temporary, but the soul is eternal. Additionally, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 90b) derives from this verse the foundation for the Jewish belief in techiyas hameisim (resurrection of the dead).
Q: Why was Adam punished with hard labor for eating from the Tree of Knowledge?
A: The Ramban (Genesis 3:19) explains that before the sin, Adam's work was effortless, and the earth provided for him naturally. After the sin, the relationship between man and earth changed—now he must struggle to survive. This reflects the spiritual principle that sin disrupts harmony in the world (Talmud, Shabbat 55a).