Derasha 4 on Bereishis 2:18

TT #102 · 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 Textאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: מַאי דִּכְתִיב אֶעֱשֶׂה לּוֹ עֵזֶר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ? זָכָה — עוֹזַרְתּוֹ; לֹא זָכָה — כְּנֶגְדּוֹ. אִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי, רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר רָמֵי: כְּתִיב כְּנֶגְדּוֹ וּקְרִינַן כְּנֶגְדּוֹ — זָכָה כְּנֶגְדּוֹ, לֹא זָכָה מְנַגַּדְתּוֹ.
English of Core Text: Rabbi Elazar said: What is the meaning of “I will make him a help opposite him (kenegdo)”? If he is worthy — she helps him; if he is not worthy — she is against him. Some say Rabbi Elazar raised a contradiction between the written and read forms: if worthy — opposite him (as a counterpart); if not worthy — she opposes him.
On the daf / in context: The dual potential of “kenegdo” is expounded: the same wife can be a help or an opponent according to the husband’s merit.
Type of Learning: Custom (dual force of “kenegdo”)
What Is Learned: “Kenegdo” means either a corresponding help or an opposing force, depending on the husband’s worthiness.