Question
In Genesis ch.2 verses 21-23, in the original Hebrew, what did G-d say he took
to make woman? Was it rib or just from his side?
Answer
Great question. The Hebrew word used by the Torah is “tzelah”. Depending on the context, this word could indeed mean either ‘side’ or ‘rib’. Interestingly, although most translations, and a number of commentators, render the word as ‘rib’ in the context of the formation of Eve, most of the classic commentators define the word as ‘side’. So, in short, while it’s not cystal clear one way or the other, most of the classic commentators do favor ‘side’ as the proper meaning.
Be well,
Rabbi Yoel Spotts