5787/2026
Parashat BeReishit describes the creation of the world. After almost every day of creation, the Torah tells us, “VaYar Elokim Ki Tov”, “Hashem saw that it was good”. There is one noticeable exception: the second day. After describing the separation of the waters, the Torah simply says, “VaYehi Erev VaYehi Voker Yom Sheni”, “And there was evening, and there was morning, the second day” (BeReishit 1:8). Why does the Torah leave out “Ki Tov” on the second day?
The Midrash (BeReishit Rabbah 4:6) explains that the second day was the day of Machloket. Hashem separated the upper waters from the lower waters: “Vihi Mavdil Bein Mayim LaMayim” (BeReishit 1:6). The idea of separation and division is associated with Machloket, and therefore the Torah does not say “Ki Tov” on that day.
But the Medrash then brings the words of R’ Yossi. A noblewoman asked him why the second day was not called good, and he pointed to the end of the creation story, where the Torah says, “VaYar Elokim Et Kol Asher Asah V’Hinei Tov Me’od”, “Hashem saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (BeReishit 1:31). The words “Tov Me’od” include everything that was created, including what happened on the second day.
How can that be? If Machloket is negative, why is it ultimately included in “Tov Me’od”?
Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank explains this based on the Mishnah in Berachot (54a), which teaches that “B’Chol Levavecha” means serving Hashem with both the Yetzer Tov and the Yetzer HaRa. The message is that even a Middah that can be destructive is not necessarily bad in itself. What matters is how and why it is used.
The same is true of Machloket. Most of the time, Machloket is something we should avoid. But there are times when a person must disagree. He may need to stand up for what is right, challenge a wrong idea, or refuse to go along with something simply because everyone else is doing it. In those situations, the ability to argue and push back can actually be a very positive Middah.
Perhaps this is why the Torah omits “Ki Tov” on the second day, but includes it in “Tov Me’od” at the end of creation. Machloket is dangerous when it is used in the wrong way, but the Middah itself is not inherently bad. Like every other Middah, it has a proper time and a proper place.
That is true of all of our Middot. We do not have to discard the parts of ourselves that are difficult. We have to learn when they belong and how to use them. Even a Middah that can cause damage can become a tool for growth in our Avodas Hashem when it is used for the right purpose.