Uncovering Hidden Wisdom in the Torah: Surprising Answers to Common Questions

In Bereishit 4:14, Kayin (Cain) says after his punishment: “...and I shall be a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Whom was he afraid of if only Adam and Eve existed?

Kayin feared the animals, as Rashi explains: “Whoever finds me will kill me” — meaning animals and wild beasts. Humans did not yet exist except for Adam and Eve, and he did not fear them. But until now, the animals feared him, as it says, ‘Your fear and dread shall be upon them.’ Now, because of his sin, he feared that the animals would no longer be afraid of him and would kill him. So God placed a sign on Kayin and restored his fear upon all creatures.

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Beyond paying a fine to the father, how can the punishment for raping a young woman include marrying her and never being allowed to divorce her? Why would any victim agree to this?

The marriage only happens if the girl herself chooses it. In ancient times, a young woman who was raped could rarely find a husband afterward due to social stigma. Therefore, if she wanted the marriage for her own future security, the man was obligated to marry her and could never divorce her, thereby ensuring her long-term social and financial protection.

But again — only with her consent.

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In Parashat Vayeitzei, Yaakov kisses Rachel at the well.  Commentators ask how could Yaakov kiss her if physical contact is forbidden before marriage?

• The Avodat Yisrael of Kozhnitz explains that Yaakov received prophetic inspiration at the moment of the kiss — seeing Rachel would not be buried with him in the Cave of Machpelah. Because prophecy cannot rest upon impurity, the kiss was completely holy.

• The Shelah HaKadosh and Arizal (Pri Etz Chaim) describe deep mystical intentions in Yaakov's action.

• According to the Midrash and Arizal, Yaakov kissed her on her hands, as one would greet a young relative. A kiss between close family members — especially when she was still a young girl, had no element of impropriety.

• The Agera DeKallah adds that Yaakov viewed Rachel as a future mitzvah, like kissing a holy object (a tallit or tefillin), without any physical desire, but only spiritual attachment.

Thus, the kiss was purely spiritual and familial, not romantic or forbidden.

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Psalm 137, “By the rivers of Babylon,” describes the Jewish exile after the destruction of the First Temple. But King David lived before the Temple was even built.

The Midrash Tehillim explains:

• God showed David a prophetic vision of the future destruction.

• David saw the Levites exiled to Babylon.

• After seeing this prophecy, he composed the psalm in the past tense.

Thus, the Psalm is prophetic, not historical.