“These are the outgrowths of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, on the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens” (Genesis 2:4). “These are the outgrowths [toledot] of the heavens and of the earth when they were created” – it is written: “Behold, these are but the edges of His ways…” (Job 26:14). Rav Huna said: All the things that you see are just the edges of the ways of the Holy One blessed be He.
“Behold, these are but the edges of His ways, and how a trace is heard about Him; who can investigate the thunder of His might?” (Job 26:14). Rav Huna said: Thunder, when it emerges in its full force, no creature can understand it. “Who has investigated?” is not written, but rather, “who can investigate?” Clever people may have vague knowledge or ideas about it, [but even they cannot understand it fully].
Rav Huna said: If you are unable to understand [even] the workings of thunder, is it not all the more so for the workings of the [whole] world? That is a rhetorical question. If1This paragraph is an exposition on the verse “What is man, that he should come along after the King, after they have already done something?” (Ecclesiastes 2:12). The Midrash will soon explain why the verse says ‘they.’ a person says to you: I can understand the workings of the world, say to him: ‘If you are unable to understand even a flesh-and-blood king, are you able to understand the King of kings, the Holy One blessed be He?
That is a rhetorical question.’ Rav Naḥman said: This2This paragraph is an exposition on the first half of the aforementioned verse: “I devoted myself to acquire wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 2:12). After Solomon acquired his wisdom, others were able to take advantage of it as well. is analogous to a thicket of reeds into which no person could enter, as anyone who entered into it would lose his way. What did one clever person do?
He continuously cut down [reeds] and entered further and further into the thicket. He entered via the clearing and exited via the clearing. Everyone then began entering and exiting via the clearing. Rav Naḥman said differently: This is analogous to a great palace that had many entrances.
Everyone who entered it would lose his way. What did one clever person do? He took a spool of string and tied it [on one end] opposite the entrance and he entered by means of the spool3Unwinding the string as he went along. and exited by means of the spool. Everyone then began entering and exiting by means of the spool.
Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: This is analogous to a flesh-and-blood king who built a palace. People entered into it and said: If the pillars were taller it would be nicer, if the walls were higher it would be nicer, if the ceiling were higher it would be nicer. But did a person ever come and say: If I had three eyes, if I had three legs, it would be better for me? That is a rhetorical question.
“After He has already done” is not written, but rather, “after they have already done” (Ecclesiastes 2:12). The King of kings, the Holy One blessed be He, and His court conferred, as it were, over each and every limb of yours, and established it at its proper configuration, as it is stated: “Will you repay the Lord this, crude and unwise people? Is He not your father, your redeemer? He made you, and He established you” (Deuteronomy 32:6).
Rabbi Levi bar Ḥaita said: When a flesh-and-blood king builds a palace, if he would place its drain pipe at its entrance it would not be becoming. But the King of kings, the Holy One blessed be He, created man and placed his drain pipe at his entrance,4This refers to the nose, which is right at the front of one’s face. and it is becoming, and it is [in fact] a person’s glory. Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Maryon said: It is written: “The Lord God formed the man” (Genesis 2:7).
Why, then, does the verse state [again]: “Whom He had formed” (Genesis 2:8)? The Holy One blessed be He was taking pride in His world, as it were, saying: ‘See the creation that I created and the form that I formed.’ Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Maryon said: It is written: “These are the outgrowths of the heavens and of the earth when they were created” – their Creator praises them, who can disparage them? Their Creator lauds them, who will find fault with them?
Rather, they are beautiful and praiseworthy, as it is stated: “These are the outgrowths of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, on the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.”