The pasuk says [2-18]
And Hashem said, "It is not good that man is alone; I shall make him a helpmate opposite him."
Rashi:
It is not good, etc.: [Gen. Rabbah] Lest they [people] say, “There are two dominions: the Holy One, blessed be He, is alone among the heavenly beings, and He has no mate, and this one [man] among the earthly creatures, has no mate.”
Why does Rashi TOTALLY change the simple meaning of the pasuk from meaning that it is not good for man to be alone [as so many single people can attest] and instead ascribe to the pasuk deeper theological meaning which seems uncalled for?
Right after this declaration Hashem surprises us and DOESN'T create a woman!! Instead - he brings the animals to man in order that he should name them.
And the Hashem formed from the earth every beast of the field and every fowl of the heavens, and He brought [it] to man to see what he would call it, and whatever the man called each living thing, that was its name.
And man named all the cattle and the fowl of the heavens and all the beasts of the field, but for man, he did not find a helpmate opposite him.
Only then does he create woman.
And Hashem caused a deep sleep to fall upon man, and he slept, and He took one of his sides, and He closed the flesh in its place.
And Hashem built the side that He had taken from man into a woman, and He brought her to man.
Why doesn't he create woman immediately?
Some thoughts here.
