The Pasuk seems to contradict itself when it writes that "Hashem made the two great luminaries" (implying that they were equal); and continues "... the large luminary to rule over the day, and the small luminary to rule over the night" (which indicates that they were different sizes)?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: Initially, Hashem made them equal 1 (for almost twenty-one hours -Targum Yonasan), However, the moon 'prosecuted' (spoke Lashon ha'Ra 2 about - Targum Yonasan) the sun, claiming that two kings cannot share one crown. Hashem then minimized its light 3 (and made it dependent on the sun for its light). 4 However, to compensate it for its loss, He gave it the stars to assist it. 5
Rashbam, Riva and Da'as Zekenim: What the Torah means is that Hashem created two relatively large (though unequal) luminaries; 6 the larger of the two to rule by day ....
As implied by the word "Sh'nei Me'oros ha'Gedolim" - which always denotes equality. See Peninim mi'Shulchan ha'G'ra.
See Na'ar Yonasan.
See Torah Temimah, note 51.
Even an adult who is fed from his father's table is called a Katan. See Peninim mi'Shulchan ha'G'ra.
Da'as Zekenim and Rosh: One who is shamed and does not retaliate, just like the sun was quiet when the moon prosecuted, will be like the sun; "k'Tzeis ha'Shemesh bi'Gevuraso" (Gitin 36b). Some say in 'Kel Adon' (Shacharis of Shabbos), 'Ra'ah ve'Hiktin (He diminished) Tzuras ha'Levanah'. Some say, 'Ra'ah ve'Hiskin;' this means that Hashem saw that people will err to consider the sun a deity, so He made the moon equal to it (Da'as Zekenim). The stars came from sparks that fell from the moon when it was diminished (Rosh).
See also Ibn Ezra. Kol Eliyahu and Divrei Eliyahu reject this, for "Sh'nei" teaches that they were equal (like Yoma 62a expounds the words "Sh'nei Se'irim").
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'The great luminaries' - [The sun and moon] were created as equal." But perhaps the moon is called 'great' only in proportion to the stars (and not because it was at first equal with the sun)?
Gur Aryeh: The language of the verse, "the two great luminaries," implies that they were created together. We do not find any other contrasting elements of creation that were created simultaneously. 1
See also Maharal (Chidushei Agados, Vol. 4 p. 11, to Shevuos 9a). Regarding the moon's claim and Hashem's response to it, see Gur Aryeh (to Bamidbar 28:15) and Maharal (Be'er ha'Golah 4:4, p. 54; Chidushei Agados ibid., p. 10). Refer to 1:16:1.3 .
Rashi writes: "The moon complained, 'Two kings cannot use the same crown.'" What is the meaning of this metaphor?
Gur Aryeh: A crown represents rulership. The sun and moon both 'rule' over the world (by illuminating it), albeit at different times. 1
A king should unite everyone towards one purpose; having two kings precludes any unity. See Gur Aryeh to Bamidbar 28:15.
Rashi writes: "... Two kings cannot use the same crown." But even after the moon was diminished, it still 'wears the same crown' by illuminating the world?
Gur Aryeh #1: Because the moon wanes and finally disappears (at the end of each month), the sun rules alone.
Gur Aryeh #2 (to Bamidbar 28:15): Because the sun and moon are no longer equivalent, it is not considered 'two kings wearing the same crown.' 1
Gur Aryeh (loc. cit.) explains this at length.
Rashi writes: "... Two kings cannot use the same crown." If the moon's claim was justified, why did Hashem initially create the sun and moon as equals?
Da'as Zekenim: Hashem saw that people would err to consider the sun a deity, so He made the moon equal to it.
Maharal (Chidushei Agados, Vol. 4, p. 10, to Shevuos 9a): Until the moon complained, there was no problem! From Hashem's perspective, the sun and moon are not 'kings' but mere creations. Only from the perspective of the creations themselves can the luminaries be described as 'ruling' over the day and the night.
Rashi writes: "To appease the moon, Hashem created many hosts [of stars]." How is this derived from the verse?
Gur Aryeh: Rather than beginning with, 'Hashem created the two great luminaries and the stars," the verse introduces the stars only after describing the moon as "small." This tells us that Hashem created them specifically for the moon.
