Taamei Hamitzvos - Procreation
Reasons behind the Mitzvos
by Rabbi Shmuel Kraines
(Mitzvah 1 in Sefer HaChinuch)
Hashem’s first words to mankind were “P’ru u’rvu u’milu es ha’aretz — Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth” (Bereishis 1:28).These were also the first words that Hashem said to Noach and his sons when they emerged from the Ark (ibid. 9:1). As the first Mitzvah in the Torah, it is of primary importance. Therefore, when a person dies and ascends to Heaven, he is asked whether he was “involved” in this Mitzvah, either by bearing children or by helping others get married so that they may bear children (Shabbos 31a and Maharsha).
The basic Mitzvah entails bearing one son and one daughter, but it is also a Mitzvah to multiply as much as possible (see Even HaEzer §1). Noting that the word u’rvu (multiply) can also mean to raise children, Rav Hirsch suggests that this Mitzvah includes raising children and teaching them proper conduct.
The Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt in the merit of being fruitful and multiplying; so, too, the Final Redemption will come about only when the Jewish people are fruitful, multiply and fill the world (Tanna Dvei Eliyahu Zuta ch. 14).
The commentaries offer several reasons for this Mitzvah:
- Since man does not live forever, his service of Hashem includes leaving behind another generation that will continue that service (Rav Menachem HaBavli). This is why the Mitzvah requires a husband and wife to bear a son and a daughter, who can replace them.
- The requirement to provide a “replacement” for when we leave the world reminds us of our mortality and humbles us before our eternal Creator (see Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer ch. 12).
- Hashem commanded mankind to multiply so that the world would be settled, populated, and could thereby fulfill its purpose (Sefer HaChinuch).
- “A king’s glory is apparent through multitudes of subjects” (Mishlei 14:28). The more children a person bears, the more he increases Hashem’s glory, which is the purpose of Creation (Yalkut HaMachiri,ibid.). Furthermore, since man was created in Hashem’s image, procreation increases Hashem’s image (Yevamos 63b).
- Mashiach will not arrive until all the souls come down from Heaven (Yevamos 62a). This is because each soul accomplishes another part of mankind’s mission.
- We connect with Hashem by emulating His ways, such as by performing acts of kindness and compassion (Rashi to Devarim 13:5). Since He creates and nurtures countless living beings, He commanded us to emulate Him by bearing and raising children.
