“To the east [mikedem]” – Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: You may think that it means before the creation of the world, but in fact it means only before the creation of man.15The midrash here interprets mikedem to mean “beforehand” rather than “east.” Man was created on the sixth day, the Garden of Eden on the third day. That is what is written: “For God is my King from times of old [mikedem], working salvation in the midst of the land” (Psalms 74:12) – look at His benevolent works, as the Holy One blessed be He prepared my reward even before I [mankind] began to do anything.