Derasha 1 on Bereishis 1:15

EXTRA · Parashas Bereishis · First Aliyah · Passuk 15

Complete Passuk

וְהָי֤וּ לִמְאוֹרֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Rashi on Bereishis 1:15 — the luminaries have an additional function: to illuminate the world.

Sefaria — Rashi on Genesis 1:15

Core Text

Core Textוְהָיוּ לִמְאֹרֹת — עוֹד זֹאת יְשַׁמְּשׁוּ, שֶׁיָּאִירוּ לָעוֹלָם.
English: “And let them be for lights” — they will serve this additional purpose as well: to illuminate the world.
On the commentary / in context: Rashi reads the verse as adding illumination to the luminaries’ previously stated functions of distinguishing times and seasons.
Type of Learning: Peshat (classical commentary)
What Is Learned: The luminaries are not only markers of time; they also serve the world by providing light.