Rabbi Simon said: Light is mentioned five times here, corresponding to the five books of the Torah. “God said: Let there be light” – corresponding to the book of Genesis, in which the Holy One blessed be He engaged in creating His world. “And there was light” – corresponding to the book of Exodus in which Israel emerged from darkness to light. “God saw the light, that it was good” (Genesis 1:4) – corresponding to the book of Leviticus, which is full of multiple halakhot.6Hence the two positive expressions: “light” and “good.”
“God distinguished between the light and the darkness” (Genesis 1:4) – corresponding to the book of Numbers, which distinguishes between those who departed from Egypt and those who entered the land. “God called the light, Day” (Genesis 1:5) – corresponding to the book of Deuteronomy, which is full of multiple halakhot. The students raised an objection to Rabbi Simon: ‘But is the book of Leviticus not full of halakhot [just like Deuteronomy]?’7Regarding Leviticus, the double expression indicated the multiplicity of halakhot.
Why does Deuteronomy, which is just like Leviticus, not have a the double expressionof light? He said to them: ‘In its regard, too, it said a second word.’8The verse corresponding to Deuteronomy also contains two positive expressions, “light” and “good.”