Derasha 1 on Bereishis 4:19

TT #174 · Parashas Bereishis · Fourth Aliyah · Passuk 19

Complete Passuk

וַיִּֽקַּֽח־ל֥וֹ לֶ֖מֶךְ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֑ים שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאַחַת֙ עָדָ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית צִלָּֽה׃

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

TT points to Yerushalmi Yevamos 6:5 (verified).

Core Text

Core Textעָדָה וְצִלָּה — עָדָה שֶׁהָיָה מִתְעַדֵּן בְּגוּפָהּ, וְצִלָּה שֶׁהָיָה יוֹשֵׁב בְּצִלָּהּ שֶׁל בָּנִים.
English of Core Text: “Adah and Tzillah” — Adah, because he would take pleasure (mitaden) in her body; and Tzillah, because he would sit in the shade (tzillah) of children.
On the daf / in context: The names of Lemech’s two wives are given midrashic etymologies reflecting two roles: sensual pleasure and child-rearing.
Type of Learning: Custom (etymology of Adah and Tzillah)
What Is Learned: Adah’s name alludes to physical delight; Tzillah’s name alludes to the shade/protection of offspring.