Derasha 2 on Bereishis 2:7

TT #81 · Parashas Bereishis · Second Aliyah · Passuk 7

Complete Passuk

וַיִּיצֶר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֗ם עָפָר֙ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה וַיִּפַּ֥ח בְּאַפָּ֖יו נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים וַֽיְהִ֥י הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּֽה׃

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

TT points to Yerushalmi Yevamos 4:2 (verified).

Core Text

Core Textמַאי דִּכְתִיב וַיִּיצֶר בִּשְׁנֵי יוּדִין? אָמַר רַבִּי זְעִירָא בְּשֵׁם רַב הוּנָא: [רֶמֶז לִשְׁתֵּי יְצִירוֹת], יְצִירָה לְשִׁבְעָה וִיצִירָה לְתִשְׁעָה.
English of Core Text: What is the meaning of “vayyitzer” with two yuds? Rabbi Zeira said in the name of Rav Huna: a hint to two formations — formation at seven [months] and formation at nine [months].
On the daf / in context: The doubled letter is taken as an allusion to the two possible gestational periods recognized in halachah.
Type of Learning: Custom (two periods of fetal formation)
What Is Learned: The two yuds hint at viable formation at seven months and at nine months.