“The Lord God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). “The Lord God took [vayikaḥ] the man…” – Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Yehuda says: He elevated him, just as it says: “The peoples will lift them up [ulkaḥum] and bring them…” (Isaiah 14:2). Rabbi Neḥemya said: He enticed him, just as it says: “Take [keḥu] words32That is, words of persuasion. with you and return to the Lord…” (Hosea 14:3).
“And placed him [vayaniḥehu]” – Rabbi Yudan and Rabbi Berekhya, Rabbi Yudan said: He granted him rest, and protected him and indulged him33Vayaniḥehu can also mean he gave him rest, protection or comfort. with all the trees in the Garden of Eden. Rabbi Berekhya said: [He put him there] to grant him rest, protect him, and indulge him with all the trees in the Garden of Eden.34It was God’s intent when placing Adam in the garden to grant him all these things, but it did not actually come about due to Adam’s sin.
“Vayaniḥehu” – He gave him the mitzva of Shabbat, just as it says: “And He rested [vayanaḥ] on the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11). “To cultivate it [le’ovda]” – “six days you shall work [taavod]” (Exodus 20:9), “and to keep it” – “Keep the Shabbat day” (Deuteronomy 5:12).35“To cultivate it and to keep it” all refer to the precept of Shabbat – to work for six days and rest on the seventh. Alternatively, “to cultivate it and to keep it” – this refers to sacrificial offerings, as it is stated: “You will serve [taavdun] God upon this mountain” (Exodus 3:12), and it is written [regarding the daily offering]: “You shall take care [tishmeru] to present it to Me at its appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).