Livyatan

Haviva tackles the Livyatan in today's summary.

The Maharal explains the Livyatan from a non-physical perspective: Female is associated with Lev (heart) and Male is associated with Sechel (intellect). The male livyatan represents the concept of intellect-that a person does what he thinks he should do. The female livyatan represents concept of emotion and desire-that a person does what he wants to do. When Hashem killed the female livyatan, it represented the weakening of the connection between intellect and emotions. This means that after Hashem killed the female livyatan, a person doesn't always want to do what he knows he should do. The feast for the Tzadikkim represents a time when the connection between intellect and emotion will be fully restored so that there will no longer be a struggle between the two.

Malbim comments on the fact that it says Bara (create) in this pasuk. Bara is always used to when something new is created. What was the new thing that was created? a creature with Nefesh Chaya-a spark of life. And why doesn't it say Vayihi Chen on this day? Because the creation of Nefesh Chaya isn't complete until Day 6 when all the other animals are created.