2019/5780
After Adam and Chavah are expelled from Gan Eden, the Torah tells us that they have two sons, Kayin and Hevel. Kayin, a farmer, brings an offering of fruit to Hashem, while Hevel, a shepherd, brings his best sheep as an offering. When Kayin’s gift is rejected and Hevel’s is accepted, Kayin flies into a rage, plotting to kill his younger brother. Kayin waits until they are alone together in the field and then murders his brother Hevel. However, before this occurs, the Torah says, “VaYomer Kayin El Hevel Achiv VaYehi Bihyotam BaSadeh,” “Kayin said to Hevel his brother, and when they were in the field together” (BeReishit 4:8). The Torah states that Kayin said something to Hevel at this crucial point in history, but never tell us what was actually said. Targum Onkelos (BeReishit 4:8) writes that they were arguing, not merely talking, but does not explain what they are arguing about. Thus, Rashi (BeReishit 4:8 s.v. VaYomer Kayin) explains that Kayin wanted to kill Hevel from the time of the offering, but started arguing with Hevel simply so that he could have a reason to explain why he killed Hevel besides for jealousy. Kayin wants to use this argument as a scapegoat, but when Hashem confronts him afterwards, Kayin maintains this charade, and when Hashem asks him kindly (Rashi BeReishit 4:9 s.v. Ei Hevel Achica) where Hevel is, Kayin pretends that he does not know where Hevel is. Kayin gets tangled in a web of lies which makes it continually harder to return to Hashem. After Kayin first fails to bring his best crops as a Korban to Hashem, Hashem tells him that he can improve himself: “If you do better, you will be forgiven” (BeReishit 4:7); if he does not actively improve, however, sin is “Crouch[ing] at the doorway” (BeReishit 4:7). As we have finished the cycle of the Yamim Nora’im, it is easy to once again become complacent and forget all of the promises we made to get better, all of the the teshuvah we did, and all of the time we spent in Shul, begging Hashem for a happy, healthy year. However, Hashem reminds that we must continue improving and working to become better people because, “LaPetach Chatat Roveitz,” “Sin crouches at the doorway” (BeReishit 4:7), and if we allow it to control us and get tangled in the webs of sin, it is very hard to turn back.