×
Friend,    With Purim right around the corner, Sefaria is busy preparing for the “Purim bump” — the increase in users who visit Sefaria to celebrate the holiday. Last year, more than 100,000 people visited the library or used the app to connect with the holiday or read along with Megillat Esther. This year we’re expecting even more.    To help with our text and tech preparations ahead of this busy time, a generous Jewish foundation is matching all gifts to the library up to $36,000.    Please give today to help us meet your learning needs!     
Notable Sources
All Sources
A
Genesis of Earth's Creation
TANAKH
The initial act of creation by God marks the beginning of everything, setting the stage for the entire biblical narrative. The Torah opens with the creation of heaven and earth, introducing the foundational concept of a world created by God.
God's Plan for the Earth
COMMENTARY
God intended for the earth to be evenly populated, but the people who built the Tower of Babel resisted this divine plan. Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar’s 18th-century commentary, Or HaChaim, explores the narrative of the Tower of Babel and the divine intention for the earth’s population.
The Simultaneous Creation of Heaven and Earth
MIDRASH
The School of Shammai and the School of Hillel debate whether the heavens or the earth were created first. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a midrashic work, explores these debates and ultimately concludes that the heavens and the earth were created simultaneously.
The Earth’s Satisfaction at Sinai
KABBALAH
The earth itself found peace and satisfaction when the Torah was given to Israel at Mount Sinai. Rabbi Moses Cordovero, a 16th-century kabbalist, interprets the verse "the earth saw and was quiet" (Ps. 140:14) to highlight the cosmic significance of the Torah's revelation.
The Divine Possession of Earth
MISHNAH
The earth is considered one of the five possessions that God set aside, emphasizing its divine ownership and sanctity. Pirkei Avot, a work of ancient rabbinic ethics and wisdom from the land of Israel, names the earth among the things that God treats as precious.
Divine Terror and the Quaking Earth
TANAKH
The earth quaking is depicted in the biblical narrative as a manifestation of terror. In the biblical book of Samuel, the earth quakes, causing panic and terror among the Philistines, which is attributed to divine intervention.
Noah's Plea for the Earth
SECOND TEMPLE
Noah's sacrifice to God upon exiting the ark ensured that humanity could live without fear of another catastrophic flood, allowing for peace and prosperity. Josephus, in his historical work, recounts Noah's plea and God's promise never to destroy the earth again.
The Principle of "Do Not Destroy"
COMMENTARY
The Jewish prohibition against cutting down fruit-bearing trees during war extends to a broader principle of environmental stewardship and sustainability. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his essays, interprets the principle of "Bal Tashchit" (do not destroy) as a call to protect our planet and its resources.
Eternal Witnesses
COMMENTARY
Heaven and earth serve as eternal witnesses to the covenant between God and Israel, ensuring accountability and providing rewards or punishments based on the Israelites' actions. Rashi, the renowned medieval French biblical commentator, elucidates the role of heaven and earth in the covenant.
Divine Providence on Earth
JEWISH THOUGHT
God's providence extends to the earth just as it does to the heavens, and humans should emulate God's attributes of loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness on earth. In his 12th-century philosophical work, The Guide for the Perplexed, Rambam explores the nature of divine providence and how it can extend to earthy matters.
Renewal of the Earth
LITURGY
The renewal and rejuvenation of the earth is a central theme in Jewish tradition, especially during the seasonal cycles. This text from the Mincha service for Shabbat and Yom Tov, specifically from Psalms recited between Sukkot and Pesach, reflects themes of renewal and divine intervention.
We use cookies to give you the best experience possible on our site. Click OK to continue using Sefaria. Learn More.OKאנחנו משתמשים ב"עוגיות" כדי לתת למשתמשים את חוויית השימוש הטובה ביותר.קראו עוד בנושאלחצו כאן לאישור