Parshas Bereishis 5776

The Many Wives of Adam

The Torah writes (Genesis 3:20):

And the man called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living

Tosfos haShalem (ibid) says that her name was changed:

The Kabbalists says that before they sinner her name was Choya and after they sinned it was Chava

Midrash Rabbah (Genesis Rabbah 18:4) cites an opinion that Adam had another wife before:

"And Adam said: this time" - Rabbi Yehudah bar Rebbi said: in the beginning he created her and showed her [to Adam] full of blood and he was repulsed by her. He turned back and created her for a second time.

Similar Midrash Rabbah (Genesis Rabbah 22:7):

"And Cain spoke to Abel" Over what were they arguing? ... Yehuda bar Ami said: they were arguing over the First Eve [i.e. Adam's first wife]. Rabbi Ivu said: First Eve was turned back to dust.

(see also Yalkut Reuveini on Genesis 2:21)

Tosfos haShalem (Genesis 2:23) cites her name (see also Ibn Ezra ibid):

"This time" - this teaches us that another one was created with him and her name was Lilith

Rashi (Isaiah 34:14) says about this name:

Lilith - this is a name of a demon

(see also Metzudat Zion [ibid] naming her as the mother of demons)

When Did Cain Die?

The Torah writes (Genesis 4:23-24):

And Lamech said unto his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech; For I have slain a man for wounding me, And a young man for bruising me; If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Rashi explains (ibid, based on Midrash Tanchuma):

For they separated from him because he killed Cain and his son Tubal-Cain, for Lamech was blind and Tuval-Cain used to lead him. He saw Cain and thought he was an animal, and told his father to shoot him with his bow and he killed him. When it became known that it was Cain, his ancestor, he struck his palms together and killed his son between them, and his wives separated from him and he was trying to pacify them.

Midrash Rabbah (Genesis 32:8 and Exodus 31) writes that he lived until the Flood:

And he had many years for he was like Adam [his father], and greater were the days of his live for his live lasted past his father's for 1,626 years ... and he had no burial for the Flood came and washed him away

Matnas Kehunah (Genesis ibid) cites a variant reading that Cain held on to the door of the Ark until the Flood washed him away

Methuselah's Name

The Torah writes (Genesis 5:21):

And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begot Methuselah

Torah Sheleimah (ibid) cites a Midrash explaining his name:

Why was he called Methuselah? For the Name of G-d was carved on his sword and he killed many demons without count

As explained in the comments - "מתו שלח" - "his sword kills"

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