Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'Be fruitful and multiply' mean in Genesis 1:28?
A: The commandment 'Be fruitful and multiply' (פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ) is the first mitzvah (commandment) given to humanity in the Torah. According to Jewish tradition, this means that married couples should have children to fulfill this divine instruction. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains in Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Ishut 15:2) that this mitzvah applies to men, while women are not directly obligated but participate in its fulfillment.
Q: Why is the commandment to 'subdue the earth' important in Judaism?
A: The instruction to 'subdue the earth' (וְכִבְשֻׁהָ) teaches that humans are given responsibility over the world to use its resources wisely and ethically. Rashi explains that this means we should harness nature for constructive purposes, such as agriculture and building, while ensuring we do not destroy or waste resources (Bal Tashchit—the prohibition against needless destruction). The Talmud (Kiddushin 82a) also discusses how work and development of the world are part of serving Hashem.
Q: What does 'dominion over animals' mean in Genesis 1:28?
A: The phrase 'have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air' (וּרְדוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם) grants humanity stewardship over animals. However, Jewish tradition, as explained in the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 8:12), emphasizes that this does not mean cruelty or exploitation. Instead, we must treat animals with kindness, as seen in the laws of tza'ar ba'alei chayim (preventing animal suffering). The Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed 3:17) also teaches that dominion comes with ethical responsibility.
Q: How does Genesis 1:28 apply to environmental responsibility in Judaism?
A: Genesis 1:28 teaches that while humans are permitted to use the earth's resources, we must do so responsibly. The Talmud (Bava Batra 2:9) discusses laws preventing damage to the environment, such as not cutting down fruit trees unnecessarily (Devarim 20:19). The concept of shomrei adamah (guardians of the earth) is derived from this verse, emphasizing sustainability and ethical treatment of nature according to halachah (Jewish law).
Q: Is the commandment to 'be fruitful and multiply' still relevant today?
A: Yes, the mitzvah of 'pru u'revu' (be fruitful and multiply) remains a fundamental obligation in Jewish life. The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 1:1) states that a man should marry and have children to fulfill this commandment. However, the exact number of children required is debated—Beit Hillel says at least one son and one daughter, while Beit Shammai says two sons (Mishnah Yevamot 6:6). Today, Orthodox Jews continue to prioritize family and child-rearing as a sacred duty.
The Divine Blessing of Procreation
The verse (Bereishit 1:28) records the first commandment given to humanity: "Be fruitful and multiply." Rashi explains that this blessing was necessary because the act of procreation requires Divine assistance—without it, even if humans come together, they might not merit children. The Rambam (Hilchot Ishut 15:2) codifies this as the first mitzvah in the Torah, emphasizing its foundational role in Jewish life.
Filling and Subduing the Earth
The instruction to "replenish the earth and subdue it" is interpreted by the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 8:12) as a mandate for human stewardship over creation. The Sforno clarifies that "subduing" refers to utilizing the earth's resources responsibly for human benefit while maintaining ethical boundaries. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 38b) notes that this dominion is conditional upon humanity's moral worthiness.
Dominion Over Living Creatures
The phrase "have dominion over the fish... and every living thing" is understood by the Ramban as granting humans the right to use animals for permissible purposes, but not for cruelty. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 404) derives from this the prohibition of tza'ar ba'alei chayim (unnecessary animal suffering), showing that dominion comes with ethical responsibility.