Taamei Hamitzvos - Procreation
Reasons Behind the Mitzvos: Procreation
By Rabbi Shmuel Kraines
(Mitzvah 1 in Sefer HaChinuch)
Hashem, Elokim, blessed [Adam and Chavah] and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the world and conquer it, and rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over all the animals that walk the earth.” (Bereishis 1:28)
THE MITZVAH: The very first words that Hashem said to mankind were pru u’rvu, meaning, “be fruitful and multiply.”Rav Hirsch suggests an alternative translation of u’rvu,“and raise [your offspring],” and explains that raising children and teaching them the proper conduct is part of this mitzvah. The Sages teach that it is “a very great mitzvah” for a man to marry in order to bear children. 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). When a person dies and ascends to Heaven, one of the first things he is asked is whether he was “involved” in this mitzvah (Shabbos 31a). Maharsha infers from this that part of the mitzvah is to be “involved” indirectly in this mitzvah, by helping others to get married so that they may bear children. The Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt in the merit that they were fruitful and multiplied, and so too, the Final Redemption will only come when the Jewish people are fruitful and multiply and fill the world (Tana D’vei Eliyahu Zuta ch. 14).
Reason One: Perpetuation
Since man does not live forever, his service to Hashem includes leaving behind another generation to continue that service (Rav Menachem HaBavli).
Reason Two: The Settlement of the World
Hashem commanded mankind to be fruitful and multiply (that is, to bear as many children as possible), in order to settle the world. This is a great mitzvah, for it allows for the fulfillment of all the other mitzvos (Chinuch). [Meaning, as the verse in which this mitzvah is written indicates, mankind must multiply in order to conquer the world and harness its resources. In addition, the proper function of humanity depends on the cooperation of societies, and many of the mitzvos involve multiple people.]
Reason Three: To Bring Down Souls From Heaven
Mashiach will not arrive until all the souls come down from Heaven (Yevamos 62a), because each soul accomplishes another part of mankind’s goal. It is therefore a very great mitzvah to bear a child.
Reason Four: Indication of Man’s Mortality
Hashem created Adam like Himself, single, and with no need to procreate. However, He was concerned that it would be said that man created the other beings that were created in pairs and procreate, so He created Chavah and commanded man to procreate. (Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer) In other words, procreation indicates that man needs to bear offspring to replace him when he dies, and that he is not the immortal Creator of the universe.
Reason Five: Hashem’s Glory
The world was created for Hashem’s glory, and “a king’s glory is apparent through multitudes of subjects.” Therefore, the more children a person bears, the more he fulfills the purpose of Creation (Yalkut HaMachiri,Mishlei 14:28).
Reason Six: Emulating Hashem
Another reason for this mitzvah is that Hashem wants man to come close to Him by emulating His ways, and especially His kindness and compassion. Thus, just like He creates and raises all living beings, which involves countless acts of kindness, so too He enabled us and commanded us to bear and raise children of our own.
