Back and forth you formed me. Two faces were created (meaning "two aspects" or "dual nature"). Thus, the first man was created with Eve's form behind him, as it says (Genesis 2:22), "And the Lord God built the rib." Therefore, it is said "back and forth you formed me," etc. Rav and Shmuel disagreed.
One said "face" and the other said "tail." Granted, according to the one who said "face," since it is written "back and forth you formed me," it makes sense. But according to the one who said "tail," what does "back and forth" mean? As Rabbi Ami said in the name of Rabbi Ami, "back" refers to the act of Creation, and "forth" refers to punishment.
Granted, "back" refers to the act of Creation, as we say during Friday night prayers. But what does "forth" refer to? It refers to the punishment of the Flood, as it says (Genesis 7:23), "And He blotted out every living substance which was upon the face of the ground." And for the one who said "face," he derives a great principle from it.
It makes sense that the male aspect should be dominant, as it is taught that "A man should not follow a woman on the road, even if she is his wife. If he encounters her on a bridge, he should push her aside and anyone who follows a woman into a river has no share in the World to Come." Another explanation of "back and forth you formed me" is that Rabbi Yochanan said, "If a person is worthy, he can enjoy both worlds, back and forth.
But if not, he comes to give an account." And you laid your hand upon me, as you said (Job 13:21), "Your hand is heavy upon me." Rabbi Eliezer the Androgynos said, "They were created as intersex. As it says (Genesis 1:27), 'male and female He created them.'"
Rabbi Shmuel said, "Two faces were created, and he was made with a back and a front." Rabbi Tanchuma said in the name of Rabbi Berechia in the name of Rabbi Elazar, "He was created as a golem and lay from the beginning of the world to its end." This is what is written, "Your golems have seen" (Psalms 139:16). Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Nachman in the name of Rabbi Shimon in the name of Rabbi Elazar said: "God created the whole world from east to west, as it is said, 'Behind and before you encircle me.'
From north to south, as it is said, 'From one end of the earth to the other end of the earth.' And even in the space of the world, as it is said, 'Your hand is upon me.' Rabbi Elazar said, 'Behind refers to the work of the first day of creation, and before refers to the work of the last day of creation.' This is the opinion of Rabbi Elazar, as it is written, 'The earth brought forth living creatures.'
This is the spirit of Adam. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said, 'Behind refers to the work of the last day of creation, and before refers to the work of the beginning of creation.' This is the opinion of Reish Lakish, as it is written, 'The spirit of God hovered over the surface of the waters.' This is the spirit of Adam.
Rabbi Simon said, 'Behind refers to all actions, and before refers to all punishments.' Shmuel bar Tanhuma said, 'Even the word "Kluso" (a type of bird) only appears later in the Torah. This is what is written, 'Praise the Lord from the earth, from the sea monsters and all the depths.' Rabbi Shemlai said: just as the physical characteristics of Klusso (an animal mentioned in the Talmud) are similar to those of a domesticated animal, a wild animal, and a bird, so too is the Torah of God similar, in that it contains laws for domesticated animals, wild animals, and birds.
As it is written (Leviticus 11:2): "This is the animal that you may eat." And finally (ibid. 12:2): "When a woman conceives." Thus, you may derive from this analogy that both man and the Temple were created with two hands. It is written (Psalms 119:73): "Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments." And it is written (Exodus 15:17): "The sanctuary, O Lord, that Your hands have established."