Why God Made Eve and the Daughters Who Proved His Foresight

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayishlach 17:1

[(Genesis 34:1) NOW DINAH WENT OUT.] This is what Scripture says (Proverbs 1:25): "But you have spurned all my counsel and would not accept my reproof." It speaks about Chavah (Eve). When the Holy One, blessed be He, sought to create her, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: If I create her from the head of Adam, her spirit will be haughty upon her; from his eyes, she will be a flirtatious gazer; from his mouth, she will be talkative; from his hands, she will be a thief; from his feet, she will be a gadabout. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: All this counsel I took before I created her, and I did not depart from them. I said: If I create her from his head, her spirit will be haughty upon her, as it is stated (Isaiah 3:16): "And the LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty," and so forth. And from his eyes—"casting glances with their eyes" (ibid.). And from the ears—"and Sarah was listening" (Genesis 18:10). And from his mouth—"and Miriam spoke" (Numbers 12:1). And from his hands—"and Rachel stole" (Genesis 31:19). And from his feet, she goes in and out—"and Dinah went out." Hence: "But you have spurned all my counsel," and so forth.

Themes

Biblical References