“One who sheds the blood of man, by man his blood shall be shed, as He made man in the image of God” (Genesis 9:6). “One who sheds the blood of man, by man [baadam] his blood shall be shed” – Rabbi Ḥanina said: All of these words are in accordance with the laws of the descendants of Noah, [who are executed for murder] by the word of one witness, by one judge, without [two] witnesses,73According to many commentators, these words should be omitted. without forewarning, [for killing] through an agent, for [killing] fetuses.
With one witness and one judge – “one who sheds the blood of man, by man” – one [man]74One witness and one judge. – “his blood shall be shed.” Without witnesses and without forewarning – “one who sheds the blood of man…his blood shall be shed.” [One who kills] through an agent –“one who sheds the blood of man, [by man],” by means of [sending] another man – “his blood shall be shed.” For [killing] fetuses –“One who sheds the blood of man, by man [baadam],75Ba’adam can also mean “in a person,” so the phrase would mean “One who sheds the blood of a person inside a person,” that is, a fetus. his blood shall be shed.”
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Simon said: Also one who strangles a person – “One who sheds the blood of man by man [baadam].”76This is interpreted as meaning even if the blood remained inside the person. Rabbi Levi said: If a person murdered someone and was not killed [as punishment], when will he be killed? It will be when "the man” [the Messiah] will come – “one who sheds the blood of man, by the man [baadam] his blood shall be shed.”
Rabbi Akiva expounded: Anyone who sheds blood, it is considered for him as though he has diminished God’s image. What is the source? “One who sheds the blood of man, by man his blood shall be shed.” Why?
“As He made man in the image of God.” “And you, be fruitful, and multiply; teem on the earth, and multiply upon it” (Genesis 9:7). Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya expounded: If someone refrains from procreation, the verse considers him as though he has diminished God’s image. What is the source?
“As He made man in the image of God,” and it is written thereafter: “And you, be fruitful, and multiply; teem on the earth, and multiply.” Ben Azai expounded: If someone refrains from procreation, the verse considers him as though he has spilt blood and diminished the divine image. What is the source? “One who sheds the blood of man…” Why?
“As [He made man] in the image of God.” What is written thereafter? “And you, be fruitful and multiply.” Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya said to him: It is appropriate when thoughts are expressed by those who carry them out.77Ben Azai was a life-long bachelor.
Ben Azai expounds appropriately but does not act appropriately. He said to him: ‘I [refrain] because my soul yearns for Torah [study], but the world can be sustained by others [who do procreate].’