Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: The heavens were perfected [nishtakhlelu] through [the addition of] the sun, moon, and constellations, and the earth was perfected through [the addition of] trees, vegetation, and the Garden of Eden. Rabbi Simon in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: The creations were all made in generic form [mekhulalim],5When they were first created they were without their full shape and detail, and during the six days of creation they expanded and developed into their full form. and they gradually expanded.
“And their entire host [tzevaam]” – Rabbi Elazar said: There are three kinds of tzava:6The word is used in three different senses. The common denominator of them all is that they refer to things that come in abundance. The tzava of the heavens and the earth, the tzava of the students, and the tzava of suffering. The tzava of the heavens and the earth, as it is stated: “The heavens and the earth and their entire host [tzevaam] were completed.”
The tzava of the students, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “All the days of my teaching students [tzeva’i], I wait until my replacement comes” (Job 14:14) – until my replacement arises. The tzava of suffering, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Behold, there is suffering [tzava] for man upon earth” (Job 7:1). [Another interpretation of this last verse:] All a person’s aspirations [tzivion] are only on the earth.7For earthly matters, such as achieving wealth and comfort.
But of what benefit is it for him, since “his days are like the days of a hired laborer” (Job 7:1). Naḥman son of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: If one merits, tzava8A great deal of success. will be his, but if not, the tzava9Great tragedy. will be upon him.10The word “upon” in Job 7:1 is written (ketiv) על, but pronounced (keri) עלי, allowing for two interpretations: Either the tzava is for the benefit of the man, or it overcomes him.
When one builds a building, if he is fortunate, the tzava is his. If he falls from it and dies, the tzava overcomes him. If one eats his bread and enjoys it, tzava is his. If it gets stuck in his throat and chokes him, the tzava overcomes him.
And the Holy One blessed be He has appointed many kinds of tzava for man in order to collect His due – many bears, many lions, many snakes, many fiery serpents, many scorpions.11The lesson is that the pursuit of material gain may ultimately be detrimental to a person. Moreover, “his days are like the days of a hired laborer.”