“It was when man began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them” (Genesis 6:1). “It was when man began [heḥel],” Rabbi Simon said: In three places this language is stated as an expression of rebellion: “then commenced [huḥal] proclaiming the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26);15In the generation of Enosh. “it was when man began [heḥel]”; “he began [heḥel] to be a mighty one in the earth” (Genesis 10:8).16Nimrod.
They raised an objection to him: But is it not written [as well]: “And this is what they have begun [haḥilam] to do” (Genesis 11:6)?17At the Tower of Babel. He struck upon the head of Nimrod and said of him: ‘This is the one who incited them to rebel against Me.’18The rebellion of the Tower of Babel and that of Nimrod are one and the same, so there are still only three cases. “To multiply on the face of the earth,” [this teaches] that they would spill their seed on trees and stones.19“On the face of the earth.”
Because they were steeped in sexual profligacy, that is the reason He increased the number of their females.20Expecting that the multitude of women would curb their unnatural sexual appetites. That is what is written: “It was when man began…daughters were born to them.” The wife of Rabbi Shimon son of Rabbi (Ami),21This word was included in error and should be ignored. bore a female offspring. Rabbi Ḥiyya the Great saw him and said to him: ‘The Holy One blessed be He has begun to bless you!’
He said to him: ‘From where do you know this?’ He said to him: ‘As it is written: “It was when man began to multiply…and daughters were born to them.”’ He went to his father, [Rabbi], who said to him: ‘Did that Babylonian22Rabbi Ḥiyya. gladden you?’ He said to him: ‘Yes, and this is what he said to me.’
He said to him: ‘Nevertheless, even though there is a need for wine and a need for vinegar, there is more need for wine than for vinegar. There is a need for wheat and a need for barley, but there is more need for wheat than for barley.’23There is need for girls and boys, but more need for boys. When a man marries his daughter and pays out his [marriage] expenditures, he says to her: ‘May you never return here!’24See next paragraph.
The reason boys are more desirable is that boys remain more connected to the family after marriage, whereas girls are gone from the house for good. Rabban Gamliel married off his daughter. She said to him: ‘Father, pray for me.’ He said to her: ‘May you never return here!’
She bore a male offspring and said to him: ‘Father, pray for me.’ He said to her: ‘May the word ‘Woe’ never cease from your mouth!’ She said to him: ‘Father, upon the two joyous occasions that I experienced you cursed me!’ He said to her: ‘Both of them are prayers.
Because there will be peace in your house, you will never return here.25You will never be divorced and have to return home. And because your son will live long, the word ‘Woe’ will not cease from your mouth: Woe that my son did not drink yet, woe that my son did not eat yet, woe that my son did not go to the synagogue!’