Humanity’s Challenges: Bereshit Until Today (part 1)
One of the recurring themes in Bereshit (and throughout Tanach) is sibling rivalry. The struggle between Kayin and Hevel, however, seems to be something deeper than just sibling rivalry. According to Rav Hirsch Kayin represents power, he fights the curse and chooses to work the land. Hevel, on the other hand was afraid of the curse and chose to be a shepherd.
Kayin is the first one to bring a korban. Hevel is described as also bringing a korban (implying a secondary status) yet only "Hevel and his korban" are accepted. According to Chazal, Kayin was born before the sin of Adam and Chava, Hevel was born afterwards.
A transformation of Jewish destiny occurs when the nation enters the land of Israel and they shift from shepherding (like Hevel and the Avot) to farming (like Kayin).
Delivered at the OU Israel Center, December 20th, 2018 (12 Tevet 5779)