Genesis 1:14 - Celestial clocks for holiness.

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Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים וּלְיָמִים וְשָׁנִים׃

English Translation

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

Transliteration

Va'yomer Elohim yehi me'orot birki'a hashamayim lehavdil bein hayom u'vein halayla vehayu le'otot ulemo'adim uleyamim veshanim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים יְהִ֤י מְאֹרֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם לְהַבְדִּ֕יל בֵּ֥ין הַיּ֖וֹם וּבֵ֣ין הַלָּ֑יְלָה וְהָי֤וּ לְאֹתֹת֙ וּלְמ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים וּלְיָמִ֖ים וְשָׁנִֽים׃

Parasha Commentary

The Purpose of the Heavenly Lights

In this verse (Bereishit 1:14), Hashem commands the creation of the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—to serve multiple purposes in the world. Rashi explains that these lights were created not merely for illumination, but to fulfill specific divine functions:

Division of Time: The primary role is to separate day from night, establishing the natural rhythm of time (Rashi, Bereishit 1:14).
Signs (אותות): The lights serve as omens or indicators, such as eclipses or celestial phenomena that may signify divine messages (Ramban, Bereishit 1:14).
Seasons (מועדים): They determine the Jewish calendar, including the festivals (chagim) and appointed times for mitzvot (Sforno, Bereishit 1:14).
Days and Years: They mark the passage of time, enabling the calculation of days, months, and years (Chizkuni, Bereishit 1:14).

The Midrashic Perspective

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 6:1) elaborates that the sun and moon were initially created equal in brightness, but the moon was diminished after protesting, "Two kings cannot share one crown." This teaches humility and the importance of accepting Hashem’s decree. Additionally, the Midrash highlights that the lights were created on the fourth day to demonstrate that they are not deities—contrary to pagan beliefs—but creations subordinate to Hashem’s will.

Halachic Implications

Rambam (Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh 1:1) emphasizes that the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles, as derived from this verse. The moon’s phases determine the months, while the sun regulates the seasonal years, ensuring that Pesach always falls in spring (as per Vayikra 23:4). This dual system reflects the harmony between celestial bodies in fulfilling their divine roles.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 60b

The verse is discussed in the context of the creation of the sun and moon, and their roles in distinguishing between day and night, as well as their use for signs and seasons.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 8a

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the calculation of the new year and the importance of the celestial bodies in determining the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 1:14 mean when it says the lights are for 'signs, seasons, days, and years'?
A: According to Rashi, the 'signs' refer to celestial phenomena that can indicate events (like eclipses). 'Seasons' (מוֹעֲדִים) refer to the Jewish holidays, which are determined by the lunar calendar. 'Days and years' means the sun and moon help us track time—the sun for days and years, the moon for months (Talmud, Berachot 59b).

Q: Why did Hashem create the sun and moon on the fourth day and not earlier?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 3:7) explains that Hashem created light on the first day, but it was a spiritual light. Only on the fourth day did He assign the sun and moon to distribute that light physically. This teaches that physical creation follows spiritual foundations.

Q: How do the 'lights in the sky' connect to Jewish holidays today?
A: The Torah (Exodus 12:2) commands us to sanctify the new moon (Rosh Chodesh), making the moon central to the Jewish calendar. Holidays like Pesach and Sukkot fall on specific lunar dates (15th of Nissan/Tishrei). Rambam (Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh) details how courts would declare months based on moon sightings, tying directly to Genesis 1:14.

Q: What lesson can we learn from the sun and moon being created to 'divide day from night'?
A: The Seforno teaches that the separation of day and night reflects Hashem’s desire for order in creation. Just as light and darkness have distinct purposes, we too must separate between holy and mundane—like Shabbat vs. weekdays (Talmud, Chulin 83b) or mitzvot vs. prohibitions.

Q: Why does the verse call the sun and moon 'lights' (מְאֹרֹת) instead of naming them?
A: Rashi notes that initially, both the sun and moon were equally bright. The moon was later diminished (see Chullin 60b for the Midrashic reason). Calling them 'lights' emphasizes their function—to illuminate and mark time—rather than their identities, showing that everything serves Hashem’s purpose.