Long after Adam and Chava left the Garden of Eden, they began a new life, working the land, planting crops, and raising a family. Adam and Chava were blessed with two sons. Their first son, Cain, grew up to be strong and clever. Not long after, they welcomed another son, Abel, who was gentle and kind. As they grew, each brother found his own way to care for Hashem’s world.

Cain, the older brother, chose to work the land. He loved to dig in the soil, plant seeds, and watch his crops grow. Cain became a farmer, raising wheat, barley, fruits, and vegetables. He would spend hours tending to his plants, pulling out weeds, and making sure the crops had enough water and sunlight. He took great pride in his fields, where rows of green sprouted from the earth, bringing him joy and satisfaction.

Abel, on the other hand, found his passion in caring for animals. He became a shepherd, looking after sheep. Abel enjoyed guiding the sheep to green pastures and making sure they had clean water to drink. He was gentle with the animals, singing to them and protecting them from harm. Under his care, the sheep were calm and happy, and he grew attached to them. Abel saw his work as a way of helping Hashem’s creatures thrive.

One day, both brothers decided they wanted to bring an offering to Hashem to show their gratitude. They had each heard from their parents, Adam and Chava, about Hashem’s kindness and the wonderful things He had made. The brothers felt thankful and wanted to give something back as a sign of respect and appreciation.

Cain thought carefully about what he could bring. He picked some crops from his fields—wheat, fruits, and vegetables—and arranged them in a basket. Cain felt proud of his work and thought this would be a good offering. But deep down, he didn’t pick the very best of his harvest. Instead, he selected average crops, saving the best for himself.

Abel also prepared his offering. He wanted to bring Hashem something special, something that showed his full heart and love for Hashem. Abel looked over his flock and chose the very best lamb he had, one that was strong and healthy. He knew this lamb was precious to him, but he wanted to show Hashem his gratitude by giving his best.

The day came for them to make their offerings. Cain and Abel stood side by side, each presenting their gift. Cain offered his crops, while Abel brought his lamb. Hashem saw both offerings and noticed the intentions in their hearts. He accepted Abel’s offering with favour, seeing that Abel had given with a full heart and true thankfulness.

But Cain’s offering did not receive the same favour. Hashem saw that Cain had held back, not choosing his best crops, and giving without true humility or sincerity. Cain noticed this, and he began to feel angry and disappointed. He thought, “Why does Hashem like Abel’s offering more than mine?” His feelings of jealousy started to grow.

Cain’s face darkened, and he felt bitter toward his brother. Hashem, who understood Cain’s feelings, gently spoke to him. “Why are you angry, Cain? Why has your face fallen? If you do what is good, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is good, then be careful—anger and jealousy are like a wild animal waiting to take control of you. You must rule over these feelings before they control you.”

Cain listened to Hashem’s words but struggled with his emotions. He felt jealous of Abel and believed that it was unfair. Instead of looking at his own choices and actions, he blamed his brother, thinking that it was Abel’s fault that he was feeling this way.

Day by day, Cain’s jealousy grew stronger. Instead of talking to Abel or finding a way to feel better, Cain let his feelings take control. One day, he asked Abel to come with him into the fields. Abel, trusting his brother, went along, not knowing what Cain was planning.

In the field, Cain’s anger boiled over, and in a moment of rage, he harmed Abel. When Cain realised what he had done, he felt a mix of emotions—fear, regret, and shame. He had let his anger lead him to make a terrible choice, and now he could not undo it.

Hashem came to Cain and asked, “Where is Abel, your brother?”

Cain looked away, feeling guilty, and replied, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

But Hashem knew what had happened and saw through Cain’s answer. Hashem spoke to Cain, telling him that he was responsible for his choices and that Abel’s voice cried out from the earth. Hashem explained to Cain that he would now need to wander the earth, working hard but never feeling settled.

Cain understood that his actions had serious consequences. He felt sadness and remorse, realising that he had let his jealousy overpower him. Hashem, seeing Cain’s sorrow, placed a mark on him as a sign of protection, so that no one would harm him as he wandered. Although Cain had made a grave mistake, Hashem showed him mercy, giving him a chance to learn from his actions and grow.

From then on, Cain wandered, reflecting on the choices he had made. He learned the importance of controlling his emotions, understanding that feelings like anger and jealousy could lead to bad decisions if left unchecked.

The story of Cain and Abel became a lesson for future generations. People learned the importance of giving with a true and humble heart, offering their best to Hashem and others. They also saw the dangers of jealousy and anger, realising that they needed to be careful with their feelings and choices.

Through the story of Cain and Abel, we are reminded that each of us has the power to make good choices and to act with kindness and respect. Hashem gave us the ability to rule over our emotions, and with patience and understanding, we can choose the path that brings light and peace into the world.