zes - ii

He created in him [Adam] four creations from above...

and four from below.

From above:
- he stands like the ministering angels
- and speaks like the ministering angels
- and has knowledge in him like the ministering angels
- and sees like the ministering angels

From below:
- he eats and drinks like an animal
- bears fruit and multiplies
- leaves piles [excretes]
- and dies like an animal...

Said the Holy One...

'If I create him from the upper ones alone, 
he lives and won’t die [in this world / on earth]. 

If I create him from the lower ones, 
he dies [in this world / on earth] and won’t live [in the coming world].'

'Dominate the fish of the sea'...

Said R’ Chanina:

If a person merited, “dominate!” [the animals].

And if not, “they will be dominated” [by the animals].

Said R’ Yaakov of K’far Chanan:

The one that is “in our image as our likeness” – “dominate!”.

The one that is not in our image and in our likeness – “they will be dominated”.


[bereishit rabba 8]