1)

Why does the Torah add the word "[Tov] Me'od" only here (at the conclusion of the sixth day)?

1.

Ramban #1: It hints at death, or at the Yeitzer ha'Ra, both of which are necessary for the world to exist (since the bad is necessary to establish the good).

2.

Ramban #2: It inserts "Me'od" in honor of Man, who was created on this day; He gave the creation a special praise. 1 See Answer 5.

3.

Rashbam and Seforno: Because, whereas before the Torah was speaking about the P'rat (the details), here it is referring to the K'lal (the entire creation), which Hashem found to be perfect.

4.

Maharal #1 (Chidushei Agados Vol. 3, p. 72, in Bava Basra 16a): Chazal interpret the word "Me'od" with reference to the Yeitzer ha'Ra (evil inclination). When a person overcomes his Yeitzer ha'Ra, he reveals his inner self, and attaches himself completely to Hashem.

5.

Maharal #2 (Derech Chayim 1:2, p. 25): Chazal interpret "Me'od" as referring to Adam. 2 The Torah does not write "Ki Tov" explicitly regarding man, except for this hint. Man is created as deficient; he must work to in order to acquire the title of "good."


1

See Torah Temimah, note 67, who elaborates. See also answer 4.

2

The word "Me'od" is an anagram of 'Adam'.

2)

Why does the Torah insert an extra 'Hei' in the word, "Yom ha'Shishi"?

1.

Rashi #1: To hint that the Torah would only continue to exist on condition that Yisrael would eventually accept the five Books of the Torah (for which purpose it was created). 1

2.

Rashi #2: To hint that it would continue to exist only if Yisrael would accept the Torah on the sixth of Sivan in the year two thousand, four hundred and forty-eight. Otherwise, it would revert to null and void.

3.

Seforno: To stress that this was the first of all Fridays (Erev Shabbos) on which all mundane activities cease, and which are followed by Shabbos (the day of rest).


1

An alternative text states that, on the sixth of Sivan, when Yisrael accepted the Torah, the entire creation was finally established and it was as if the world was created then.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

3)

Rashi writes: "Hashem stipulated with Creation, 'Only on condition that Am Yisrael will accept the Torah.'" Why did Hashem make such a condition?

1.

Maharal #1 (Gevuros Hashem, Ch. 46, p. 177): Torah is the pinnacle of Creation; the world could not have endured if Yisrael would not accept the Torah.

2.

Maharal #2 (Derush Al ha'Torah, p. 33): Heaven and earth were separated, but neither can endure without the other. Torah is what connects the upper and lower realms.

3.

Maharal #3 (Derech Chayim 1:2, p. 25): Among all of the creations, there was not yet any knowledge of Hashem. Even man was only granted human intelligence; such an existence was not fit to last. Only Torah teaches Divine wisdom; through Torah, man can reach his full potential and endure.

4)

Rashi writes: "'The sixth day' refers to the sixth of Sivan, the day that was ready for the Giving of the Torah." But one opinion in the Gemara (Shabbos 86b) says that the Torah was given on the 7th of Sivan?

1.

Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 4, p. 21, to Avodah Zarah 3a): Am Yisrael had already agreed to accept the Torah on 6 Sivan, and it was their agreement that all of Creation depended upon. 1


1

This also can explain why Shavuos is celebrated nowadays on 6 Sivan, and it is still called "Zeman Matan Toraseinu." See Maharsha to Avodah Zarah 3a; and Ba'er Heiteiv to Shulchan Aruch OC 494:(1). (CS)

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