Kayin, alienated from society and no longer able to work the land, turns away from God and sought to build for himself an independent life. He still had himself. He still had his mental powers and skills. This was man’s first attempt at establishing his life without God. He became a city-builder.
Agriculture reaches the city and is converted to meet human needs. Art and industry are developed. The “fields” of the city-dweller are his energy, mind and skill. In the countryside, the fields are cultivated. In the city, man is cultivated.
The Hebrew word for city, עיר, is related to the word עור which means “awake”. In the city, man’s capabilities are awakened.
We see the same contrast between the countryside and the city in other places in the Torah. The cities of the Levites who had no portion of the land. Also the cities of refuge, for someone who committed manslaughter. Also בתי ערי חומה are considered detached from their surrounding land. (See commentary on page 140 for more details)
Beraishis 4:16-17
pages 139-140
