Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 3/13/2004

Question
I was reading this story recently and felt puzzled on a few items.  It may just be the translation from Hebrew.
    When Hashem curses Cain to be a "vagrant and wanderer of the earth," we find Cain settled only a few verses later in Nod, east of Eden.  
    When Cain and Abel initially brought sacrifices, why is it that Hashem only accepts the "fat portion" of an animal, and not the harvesting of Cain's crop, when there is no foremention of Hashem only accepting the fat portion.  Moreover, why are sacrifices even necessary, they make Hashem seem like a result of Israelite syncretism, instead of a unique god that did not need to eat, such as the pagans believed their gods were after sacrifices.
    Thanks for providing this service.
Lehitraot,
Benjamin  

Answer
Dear Benjamin,

Thanks for writing. Shavuah Tov.

First of all, as aConservative Rabbi I read these narratives as Jewish mythology, not history. Hence I don't have to read them as literal, fundamentalistic history. It is irrevlevant whether they occured or not. The question is - what do they teach.

Secondly, Judaism evolved according to Maimonidea from sacrifice to verbal prayer and mitzvot. Our ancestors were unable to make giant leaps in thought and faith, and so we had to be slowly weaned from human, from animal from vegetable and finally from all sacrifice - literally denying what the pagans believed.

Regarding the preference of one offering of Abel over Cain, the Rabbis wrestle with this in the Midrash as if it really happened, and they conclude - or at least one major conclusion - that Abel gave of his best while Cain simply gave an offering, not choosing of his choicest produce.

Check it outin Ginzber's 7 volume "Legends of the Jews" probably in your synagogue's library.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov