“Now, you are cursed from the ground that opened its mouth to take your brother's blood from your hand” (Genesis 4:11). “Now, you are cursed” – Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said: In three places the verse spoke tersely.44Without details. “Now you are cursed”; “if the Lord will create a creation” (Numbers 16:30); “I opened my mouth to the Lord” (Judges 11:35).45The verse does not specify what this curse was, nor which creation the Lord would make, not what came from Yiftaḥ’s mouth.
“When you cultivate the ground, it will not continue giving its strength to you; restless and itinerant you shall be on the earth” (Genesis 4:12). “When you cultivate the ground, it will not continue giving its strength to you” – Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Yosei ben Rabbi Ḥanina, Rabbi Elazar said: To you it will not give, but to others it will give. Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina said: Neither to you nor to others.
Similarly, “Much seed you will take out to the field, [but little you will gather]” (Deuteronomy 28:38) – Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Yehuda says: One would plant one se’a and gather in one se’a. Rabbi Neḥemya said: If so, from where would he earn a livelihood? Rather, that which is fit to produce twenty units will produce sixteen, and that which is fit to produce ten will produce five. Alternatively, “When you cultivate the ground, it will not continue giving its strength to you” – its strength it will not give to you, but your strength it will give to you.46It will produce in accordance with the exertion and toil that you invest.
All your strength it will not give you; it will give you some of your strength.47You will produce enough to subsist, but not to live in comfort.