Derasha 3 on Bereishis 2:18

TT #101 · Parashas Bereishis · Second Aliyah · Passuk 18

Complete Passuk

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹא־ט֛וֹב הֱי֥וֹת הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְבַדּ֑וֹ אֶֽעֱשֶׂהּ־לּ֥וֹ עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ׃

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

TT points to Yevamos 63a (verified).

E-Daf image (Yevamos 63a)

Core Text

Core Textאַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי לְאֵלִיָּהוּ, אָמַר לוֹ: כְּתִיב אֶעֱשֶׂה לּוֹ עֵזֶר — בַּמֶּה אִשָּׁה עוֹזַרְתּוֹ לָאָדָם? אָמַר לֵיהּ: אָדָם מֵבִיא חִטִּים, וְכִי חִטִּים כּוֹסֵס? פִּשְׁתָּן, וְכִי פִּשְׁתָּן לוֹבֵשׁ? וַהֲלֹא נִמְצֵאת מְאִירָה עֵינָיו וּמַעֲמִידַתּוֹ עַל רַגְלָיו.
English of Core Text: Rabbi Yose found Eliyahu and said to him: It is written “I will make him a help” — in what way does a wife help a man? He replied: A man brings wheat — does he chew wheat? Flax — does he wear flax? Is she not the one who lights up his eyes and stands him on his feet?
On the daf / in context: The practical help of a wife is illustrated: she transforms raw materials into usable food and clothing and supports the man.
Type of Learning: Custom (nature of the “ezer”)
What Is Learned: A wife’s help consists in transforming the husband’s raw provisions into finished goods and in steadying him.