Parshas Bereishis

Immediately after describing the pronouncement of HKBH's curses upon the nachash (snake) and Chava and Adam there are two psukim (3:20-21) which relate that (i) Adam called Chava by the name Chava because she was the nurturing mother of all life (Chava being related to the Hebrew word for life-giving) and that (ii) HKBH clothed Adam and Chava in leather garments He made for them. These psukim appear out of context, especially given the continuation of the events of Gan Eden immediately following. Rashi and the other mforshim address this question.

I heard a beautiful explanation from Rabbi Dishon. One can only imagine the domestic scene in the Adam/Chava household that first fateful erev Shabbos, late in the day. All had been squandered, all had been lost. There was someone to blame, there were defenses and counter-blames at the ready. The tensions might have boiled over. In spite of this, Adam's focus was on the positive. He looked at Chava and declared that Chava is the nurturing source of motherhood in this world. He found something nice to say, he hid the shame that Chava undoubtedly carried and gave himself, and her, a productive way to view the entirety of their situation within a larger context. He looked ahead and did not dwell on the past. As a result of this noble act, and midah-k'neged-midah (measure-for-measure) HKBH immediately covers Adam's shame of nakedness by providing His Handmade clothing.

Gal Einai, Copyright © 2006 by Gedalia Litke and Torah.org.