Free Translation:
Rav Tachlifa says, it is fitting to proceed with women first at the receiving of Torah. The reason
for this stems from the fact that connection to Hashem comes through the commandments. The man is
better fit for this connection. The woman is more physical and her level is not as high as is the man’s.
Therefore Adam HaRishon was commanded first since he was closer to Hashem. The woman’s greater
distance from Hashem led to her initiation of the first sin and destruction upon the world. Because her
connection is lacking, she caused sin which greater damaged the connection. The first man’s connection
was also not complete as was Israel’s at the receiving of Torah. They received a complete connection.
Since the connection at Gan Eden was not complete, therefore the man went first and afterward the
woman.
But Israel received a complete connection when Torah was given to them. This is demonstrated
by the case of Adam who received only a portion of the commandments and therefore his connection was
incomplete. Because of the complete connection established at the receiving of Torah, it was safe to
approach the women first. The women are not at a level as high as are the men, but the connection at
Sinai was complete. Afterwards the man was commanded, his connection and his level are higher than
that of the women. Therefore the command of the women preceded the men. The receiving of Torah by
the women shows that this reception of all of Israel was complete. And this complete reception is a
greater thing. Therefore she is mentioned first.
Explanation:
Commandments solidify the connection of people to Hashem. However, a person must be
equipped to handle the connection. Only a portion of commandments were given in Gan Eden, so the
connection of man to Hashem made at that time was incomplete. Since Adam was naturally better
connected to Hashem than was Chava, he was better able to constructively manage the incomplete
connection made at that time. Chava’s initiation of the first sin is proof that her connection was lacking
something that Adam’s did not lack. At Har Sinai, a full set of commandments was given and therefore a
complete connection to Hashem was being formed. Under such conditions, the danger of giving Torah to
women first was satisfactorily eliminated. The women are still at a lower spiritual level than are the men,
but there was no danger at Har Sinai of their being at a lower level leading to destruction.
With the danger eliminated, it was better to approach the women first for various other reasons.
These reasons include their enthusiasm for commandments, to encourage them to lead their children in
the ways of Torah, and to emphasize to them their reward for enabling their husband’s Torah learning.
The enthusiasm of women mentioned in the first reason is an individual personality trait. It is not a
comprehensive desire for commandments, but rather an initial desire. The Radal explains that this
enthusiasm wears off when obstacles to the commandments appear (Radal on Midrash Rabbah, Shemos
28:2:4). The third reason relates to a fear that the women would prevent their husbands from accepting
Torah since the women may not see what gain they have from Torah since only men are commanded to
learn it. Speaking to the women first was a way of demonstrating to them their equal share in their
husband’s reward for learning.
Literal Translation:
Rav Tachlifa says, it is fitting to proceed with women first. And this is because the decree and the
command from Hashem, may He be blessed, to man who receives it, is the covenant and the connection
of Hashem to man, who received the decree. And this is explained in many places. And since the man is
more fitting to the covenant and the connection with Hashem, may He be blessed, since the woman is
more physical, and the level of the woman is not like that of the man, therefore, the man was commanded
first since his level was close to Hashem, may He be blessed. And because of this, the woman destroyed
since the connection of the woman to Hashem, may He be blessed, is not like that of the man. Behold,
her connection is lacking. And since the connection is lacking, it came from this destruction that damages
the connection. And this thing is specifically by the man who did not receive the complete connection
like all of Israel who received a complete connection. Therefore with regard to the man was the
connection according to his level, the man went first and the woman after. All is according to the level of
the person.
Rather, Israel received a complete connection when Torah was given to them. And the proof of
this is that Adam HaRishon received only a portion of the commandments and therefore the connection
was not complete but Israel, since the Torah given to them was compete, their connection to Hashem was
complete. Therefore it is fitting for the woman to be commanded first at the receiving of Torah since this
thing was a complete connection. The woman is not at such a level when she received the decree but it
was a complete connection. And afterwards the man was commanded his connection and his level are
greater than that of the woman. Therefore the command of the woman preceded the man. The receiving
of Torah by the woman shows this that the reception of all of Israel was complete. And this is a greater
thing. Therefore she is mentioned first.
