Q. If Adam was born both male and female, why couldn't he reproduce himself?
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A. Actually, Orach Chaim (2: 18) mentions that they (he uses plural) could reproduce at the stage when (Adam and Eve) were united in one body, since it was then that Hashem gave them the mitzva of P'ru Urbu.
Similarly, Magid Mishna (Ungvarer Rov – p. Tazria) writes that at the original stage, he could multiply by himself (uses singular) without the need of a woman. Interestingly, he debates which part was created first and argues that the feminine side was as Adam was the last of Creation.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a pointed out to Beis Aharon (K'lolei Hashas p. 383) who quotes the Medresh Rabba (Bereshis 8) that Adam was originally created as an androgyny. Beis Aharon questions how could he then reproduce (there is a widely quoted opinion in Talmud {Yebamot 81a} that androgyny cannot procreate,) he explains in the name of Yofe Toar that Adam was different since he was created as two bodies united. Ramban (ibid.) offers two explanations depending if Adam could at that stage procreate or no.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
Important Numbers
