Cain and Abel Fight over Land and Women

And Cain said to his brother Abel, etc. (Genesis 4:8). What were they disputing? They said, “Come, let’s divide up the world.” One took the land and one took the moveable property.¹ This one said, “The ground you are standing on is mine,” and this one said, “What you are wearing is mine.” This one said, “Take it off,” and the other said, “Fly.” From this, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, etc. (Genesis 4:8). R. Joshua of Siknin said in R. Levi’s name: Both took land and both took the moveable property, so what were they arguing about? This one said, “The Temple will be built in my area,” and the other said, “It will be built in mine”; for thus it is written: And it came to pass, when they were in the field (Genesis 4:8): “field” refers to the Temple, as is said: Zion shall be plowed as a field (Micah 3:12). From this, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, etc. Judah bar Ami said: They were arguing about the first Eve. R. Aibu said: The first Eve had returned to the dust. Then what was the argument about? R. Huna said: An extra twin sister was born with Abel. This one said, “I will take her because I am the firstborn,” and the other said, “I will take her because she was born with me.”