Chapter 04 - Text Notes

232 If the following narrative were in the proper chronological sequence the usual form {Hebrew Ref} would have been used. (M.)

233 If she intended expressing only that she obtained a man from G-d, she would have said {Hebrew Ref} ---from G-d; {Hebrew Ref} can also mean "with."

234 Nidah 31a.

235 {Hebrew Ref} is used twice with Hevel ( {Hebrew Ref} ).

236 Ber. Rab. 22, 2-3.

237 Why did Hevel not work the land as did Kayin?

238 Concerning Hevel, verse 4 states that he brought {Hebrew Ref} ---from the best of his sheep (Onkelos translates {Hebrew Ref} as {Hebrew Ref} ---from the best.) There is no indication that Kayin acted similarly. (See also S.C.)

239 Tanchuma Bereishis 9.

240 Shemos 5, 9. Rashi there seems to contradict his interpretation here. (See discussions in Gur Aryeh, Daas Z'keinim, Rivo.)

241 Iyov 14, 6.

242 What indication was there that G-d accepted Hevel's gift-offering. (S.C.)

243 I.e., If you will notimprove your deeds ( {Hebrew Ref} ) your sin will be retained until your day of judgment.

244 The verse does not tell us what Kayin said.

245 What exactly Kayin said is, therefore, immaterial. (M.)

246 See Ber. Rab. 21, 6.

247 G-d, of course, knew where Hevel was. Why the question?

248 Once G-d asked him where Hevel was, he foolishly thought that he could possibly deceive Him.

249 {Hebrew Ref} literally means "the bloods of .. ." Why the plural form?

250 Causing blood to spurt in many places.

251 I.e., which would prove to be the fatal blow.

252 The ground had already been cursed! See above 3, 17 and Rashi 1, 18.

253 This was not a statement of fact and confession on the part of Kayin but, rather...

254 I.e., is my sin to great for G-d to bear?!

255 Ber. Rab. 22, 11.

256 This verse should not be misconstrued as one statement, i.e., {Hebrew Ref} "Whosoever kills Kayin will suffer retribution sevenfold." Rather, there are two different messages: 1) {Hebrew Ref} "Whosoever kills Kayin [will suffer]. 2) {Hebrew Ref} is a self-contained statement referring to the avenging of Hevel's death at the hands of Kayin.

257 This is another example of a brief verse that does not overtly state the end result it intends to convey.

258 II Shmuel 5, 8.

259 I.e., the blind and the lame.

260 Ibid.

261 I Divrei Hayamim 11, 6. Thus, we have another example where the verse only alludes to the end result.

262 What was this sign?

263 Ber. 9, 2, "And fear and trepidation of you shall be upon all animals of the earth."

264 Normally {Hebrew Ref} denotes leaving an enclosed area. Obviously, here this does not apply. (M., G.A.)

265 Mizrachi explains that Rashi intends to convey that this was a sincere act of contrition on the part of Kayin. He realized G-d's awareness of his attempt to deceive Him. However, Yefeh To'ar disagrees and asserts that Rashi means to say that Kayin pretended humility as though he could deceive G-d. (See Ber. Rab. 22, 13)

266 {Hebrew Ref} from {Hebrew Ref} ---wander.

267 Above, 3, 24.

268 On the eastern side.

269 Dev. 4, 41.

270 Three cities of refuge.

271 Ber. Rab. 21, 9.

272 {Hebrew Ref} ---meaning movement.

273 Tanchuma 9.

274 {Hebrew Ref} the causative case.

275 Since Kayin. 1) Kayin, 2) Chanoch, 3) Irod, 4) M'chuyo'el, 5) Mesushael, 6) Lemech, 7) Tuval Kayin.

276 Verse 23.

277 Iyov 24, 21.

278 Our versions of Chapter Chelek have no reference to this. However, see Ber. Rab. 23, 2.

279 See Ber. 49, 10, Onkelos ibid.

280 23, 2.

281 Ibid.

282 Yechezkel 8, 3.

283 {Hebrew Ref} being interpreted as tents for that which provokes jealousy, i.e., temples for idol worship.

284 See next verse.

285 What is the source of this name?

286 Because spices are used to enhance and refine food.

287 Iyov 16, 9. I.e., "He looked sharply at me."

288 I.e., {Hebrew Ref} is not vocalized with a {Hebrew Ref} under the {Hebrew Ref} and the accent is not on the first syllable in which case it would mean "copper and metal tools."

289 In which case the reference is to the tool and means "the tools used for working copper and metal." (G.A., S.H.)

290 23, 3.

291 Why was it necessary for Lemech to plead with his wives?

292 In anguish.

293 What is the connection to Kayin?

294 Tanchuma Bereishis 11.

295 23, 4.

296 {Hebrew Ref} ---The method for deducing a fortiori. Lemech uses a {Hebrew Ref} when he says: "Just as Kayin...."

297 Of exacting retribution from Kayin after seven generations.

298 Why does this immediately follow the narration of Lemech and his wives?

299 Lit. The First Man.

300 It is not your place to attempt to circumvent G-d's decrees by refusing to have children.

301 Ber. Rab. 23, 5.