It’s a question that's resonated through generations, and the answers, like so many things in Jewish tradition, are layered and fascinating.
We find ourselves pondering this very question in the Midrash of Philo. It's a passage that delves deep into the blessing God bestows upon Noah and his sons after the flood. You remember the scene, right? The ark has landed, the waters have receded, and a new chapter is beginning for humanity.
God, in his infinite wisdom, tells them: "Increase, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and rule over it; and let your fear and the dread of you be upon all beasts, and upon flying fowls, and upon reptiles, and upon the fishes which I have placed under your hand" (Genesis 9:2).
But why this specific blessing? Why instill fear?
Think about it: The world had just been cleansed. Humanity was given a second chance. God's blessing wasn't just about repopulating the earth; it was about establishing a new order, a new relationship between humankind and the animal kingdom. This wasn't simply a grant of dominion, but a charge to steward the earth responsibly.
The Midrash of Philo seems to be prompting us to ask: What does it truly mean to "rule"? Is it through brute force, or through understanding and responsible care? After all, the Hebrew word for "rule," redu, implies not just authority but also a sense of responsibility. And the Midrash guides us to consider the weight of that responsibility.