“God said: Let the earth sprout grass, vegetation yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in their kind, in which there is its seed, upon the earth, and it was so” (Genesis 1:11). “God said: Let the earth sprout grass” – it is taught in the name of Rabbi Natan: There were three who were brought to judgment, but there were four who emerged liable. They are as follows: Adam, Eve, and the serpent were brought to judgment, and the ground was cursed along with them, as it is stated: “Cursed is the ground on your account” (Genesis 3:17) – it will produce for you cursed items, such as gnats, flies, and fleas.
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Even these are beneficial.14Even bugs serve a purpose in the world. Thus, the earth’s curse had a silver lining. See Bereshit Rabba 20:8. Why was it cursed?
Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Shalom and Rabbi Pinḥas, Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Shalom said: Because it violated its command, as the Holy One blessed be He said to it: “Let the earth sprout grass, [vegetation yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in their kind]” – just as the fruit is edible, so should the tree be edible. But, it [the earth] did not do so, but rather, “The earth produced grass…[and trees bearing fruit]” (Genesis 1:12) – the fruit is edible but the tree is not edible.
Rabbi Pinḥas said: [On the contrary,] it did even more than it was commanded, taking the initiative in fulfilling the will of its Creator. “Trees bearing fruit” – even the non-fruit trees produced fruit. According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Shimon, all is well, but according to Rabbi Pinḥas, why was it [the earth] cursed? The explanation is that it is like a person who says [when cursing someone]: Cursed be the breasts from which this person nursed.15The earth was the provider of sustenance for mankind, so it was cursed as part of their curse.