678. Male and Female

Rabbi Yitzhak said, “Rabbi Ami said, ‘A male comes to the world, his loaf comes with him,’” Ze.Kar [Zachar (male)], and it is written, “And he prepared a great feast for them.” Nekevah [female], Nekiya Ba [comes clean], until she said, “I did not give her my food,” and it is written, “Name me your wages, and I will give it” (Niddah, 31b).

Interpretation: Sustenance depends on the man, but the woman asks from her father or from her husband. She is clean, meaning she has nothing. Until she marries, the work of her hands belongs to her father. Once she is married, the work of her hands belongs to her husband. This is why the giving force is called “male,” and the receiving force is called “female.”