Torah Portion: Bereishis
God blessed them and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea, the bird of the sky, and every living thing that moves on the earth” (Bereishis 1:28).
The commandment to procreate is learned from the verse: and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply.”
Among the roots of this commandment: It [was commanded] so that the world be inhabited. For Hashem wants it to be settled, as is written, He did not create it for emptiness; He fashioned it to be inhabited (Yeshayah 45:18). It is a great mitzvah since because of it all of the mitzvos can be fulfilled in the world, for the commandments were given to humans, not angels.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times, and one is obligated to try to fulfill it from the time he is fit to do so.
This commandment is not imposed on women.
One who neglects it, violates a positive commandment and his punishment is very great, for he thereby shows that he does not want to accept God’s will to settle the world.
