- Halacha
- Miscellaneous
- General Questions
83
Question
Shalom Rav,
Q) is there any Pasuk in bereshit that hints Adam was given 6 commandments ?
Q) if so why are the commandments given to Adam if there is only one man or two people especially if there is no community ( for eg: commandment of establishing courts..)?
Thank you Rav for your precious and valuable time and we really appreciate this..
Answer
ב"ה
Shalom
The Rabbis in Sanhedrin 56b derive from the Pasuk in Bereshit 2:16 as being the source for the 7 Commandments given to Noach. There are different versions in other Rabbinic sources, but it seems from most of them that Adam was given 6, and the 7th commandment prohibiting eating live flesh from an animal was given to Noach. (see Torah Shleima on Bereshit 2:16 and Rambam Hilchot Melachim 9:1) The Rambam sees this source primarily as an "Asmachta" – a reference while the actual commandment is something that the "mind requires". (see also Rav Yehuda Halevi , Kuzari 3:73)
It seems that Adam as the crown of creation, gifted with intellectual powers beyond the other creations, was given the commandments to be the leader of all beings and to lie the foundations for the generations to come. (see Rav Yoseph Albo, Ikkarim I;11)
All the best and Happy Chanuka !
Lying in Certain Circumstances
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Cheshvan 28, 5784

What causes so much division in the world?
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 7, 5784

Why is homosexuality forbidden in the Torah
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 8, 5784

The Meaning of the Abbreviation "Shlita"
Various Rabbis | 25 Tammuz 5765
Meaning of the name "Yaakov"
Rabbi Berel Wein | 2 Kislev 5763

Benching After Maariv on Motzaei Shabbat
Various Rabbis | 4 Cheshvan 5765

Shabbat and a movement sensor alarm
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 19 Shevat 5763
