Derasha 1 on Bereishis 2:15

TT #96 · Parashas Bereishis · Second Aliyah · Passuk 15

Complete Passuk

וַיִּקַּ֛ח יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּ בְגַן־עֵ֔דֶן לְעָבְדָ֖הּ וּלְשָׁמְרָֽהּ׃

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

TT points to Avos de-Rabbi Nosson 11 (verified).

Core Text

Core Textתַּנְיָא, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: גְּדוֹלָה מְלָאכָה שֶׁאַף אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן לֹא טָעַם כְּלוּם עַד שֶׁעָשָׂה מְלָאכָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַיַּנִּיחֵהוּ בְגַן עֵדֶן לְעָבְדָהּ וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ וְהָדַר מִכֹּל עֵץ הַגָּן אָכֹל תֹּאכֵל.
English of Core Text: It was taught: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: Great is labor, for even Adam the first man tasted nothing until he performed labor, as it is said “and He placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to keep it,” and only afterward “of every tree of the garden you may freely eat.”
On the daf / in context: The order of the verses teaches that work precedes permission to eat; labor is a primary value already in Eden.
Type of Learning: Custom (priority of labor before eating)
What Is Learned: Even in Eden, Adam was required to work before being permitted to eat; labor is fundamental.