The Earth That Changed the Command of the Fruit Trees

Rabbi Yose says: All the seas purify by flowing water, but they are unfit for those with a flux and for lepers and for sanctifying with them the water of purification. "And the earth brought forth grass" (Genesis 1:11-12). It transgressed the command, for the Holy One, blessed be He, had said to it "a fruit tree making fruit" - just as the fruit is eaten, so should the tree be eaten. But it did not do so; rather "the earth brought forth grass, a tree making fruit" - the fruit is eaten but the tree is not eaten. Therefore it was cursed, "cursed is the ground because of you" (Genesis 3:17). Rabbi Pinchas says: It added to the command, relying on doing the will of its Creator: "a tree making fruit" - even barren trees produced fruits. And why then was it cursed? It is like a man who says, May the breasts that nursed this man be cursed.