Parshas Noach 5787
ואתם פרו ורבו שרצו בארץ ורבו בה . . (ט-ז)
After the devastation of the Mabul, Hashem told Noach twice "פרו ורבו" - “Be fruitful and multiply.” Rashi explains that the first time was a blessing while the second is a commandment. Previously, this very mitzvah was given to Adam Harishon (א, כח) and now it was repeated to Noach. The Meshech Chochma offers a beautiful explanation. The Gemara (Yevamos 65b)
Pru Urvu. Although a woman is included in the broader obligation of rules that only a man is commanded in the mitzvah of
לשבת יצרה, meaning, to populate the world and ensure its continued existence, she is not included in the formal mitzvah of Pru Urvu. This, explains R’ Meir Simcha zt”l, is because of the pain and danger involved in having children. The Torah does not generally command a person to subject themselves to pain, and certainly not to danger. Yom Kippur is a notable exception, but otherwise, the Torah’s ways are pleasant, "דרכיה דרכי נועם", and its mitzvos are designed with our best interests in mind.
Nevertheless, to ensure a wife would willingly allow her husband to fulfill this mitzvah, Hashem implanted within a woman, a natural desire to bear children. We all know the joke that if man had to give birth, nobody would have them! But women are different. Hashem designed the world this way! With this he explains the need for a new commandment. Before the chet of the Eitz Hadaas, childbirth posed no discomfort or risk. Therefore, Chava and all women were included in the mitzvah! After Chava was cursed, a new directive had to be given which excluded woman.
R’ Isser Zalman Meltzer zt”l repeated a scene he had seen as a young man learning in the Volozhiner Yeshivah. A fire ravaged the town, posing great danger to its inhabitants. He noticed an elderly, scrawny tailor carrying two children, one under each arm, running for many blocks to safety. When he asked the man how he had the strength to do so, the tailor responded “Ven tzu brentmin, krigt min koychos,” when it’s burning, it gives me strength. Mitzvos are not a burden. Recognizing that they are given by Hashem with love, should ignite a fire of passion to embrace them joyfully.