One Flesh – Two Meanings (Breisheet)

In this week’s parsha, human beings are given the directive to marry and “become one flesh”. On the simplest level this means that husband and wife become “one flesh” by having a child who inherits both of their DNA. On a deeper level, this is an instruction for the marriage itself. The goal of marriage is to be deeply united in partnership and purpose. They have the same raison d’etre and are committed to each other and what they are creating together.

 

A possible relationship between these two levels of interpretation is:

 

When a husband and wife decide to bring a child into this world they should have a solid foundation. This is their sense of becoming “one flesh” and being united in purpose. The stronger this foundation, the more successful and rewarding their effort to raise children will be.