Why did Hashem need to put Adam to sleep, while removing the "Tzela" from him to create Chavah?
Rashi: So that he should not see the piece of flesh (together with the blood and juices - Rashi in Midrash Rabah) with which Hashem ultimately formed Chavah, and look down on her with disdain.
Seforno: To avoid the fear and pain that accompany an operation. 1
Moshav Zekenim (2:9): When the angels first saw Adam, they thought that he is Hashem. Hashem put him to sleep to show that he is not.
The Ramban too, seems to learn like the Seforno.
What are the connotations of "Achas mi'Tzal'osav"?
Rashi and Rashbam: It means 'one side of him', as in the Pasuk, "u'le'Tzela ha'Mishkan" (Shemos 26:2). 1
Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means a rib (the third rib on the right side - Targum Yonasan).
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'And He closed' - the place of the incision." What does Rashi mean?
Gur Aryeh: "Closing" implies a place that had been open. Rashi explains that what Hashem filled up was the incision, and He closed it with flesh. 1
Gur Aryeh resolves this Rashi with the Gemara (Eruvin 18a) that discusses whether the "Tzela" from which Chavah was fashioned had been a facet (Partzuf) of Adam, or an appendage akin to a tail.
Rashi writes: "'And [Adam] slept; [then] Hashem took...' - So that Adam would not see... lest she be degraded in his eyes." Why does Rashi explain in this way?
Gur Aryeh: Rashi explains why it was necessary that Adam be asleep while Chavah was being formed. This same reason also explains 1 why Hashem closed up the incision in Adam's body; so that he would not be disgusted by Chavah.
Gur Aryeh: Rashi deviates from the order of the Pasuk here, to show that one reason explains both parts of the Pasuk.
