Editing Pru U'Revu (Be Fruitful and Multiply) (section)

== Importance of the Mitzvah ==
Pru U'Revu is the first mitzvah written in the Torah.

The Sefer HaChinuch writes that this mitzvah is more important than all other mitzvos because "through it all other mitzvos are maintained."

The Baalei Tosafos wrote that this mitzvah is greater than other mitzvos, as can be seen from the fact that although we don't tell someone to sin so that their fellow can merit, it is permitted to transgress the prohibition of freeing a Canaanite slave so they can fulfill Pru U'Revu.

Another aspect mentioned in the seforim is that this is the only mitzvah through which a person merits to be a partner with Hashem in creation.

The Rebbe pointed out that Adam HaRishon was created alone to teach that every Jew is an entire world, and therefore as long as there is possibility, a person should strive to establish another 'world'. He added that this is one of the five questions that the soul is asked in the Heavenly court after passing. The Rebbe further emphasized that they ask if you "engaged" in this, meaning that one must not only do it but must do it in a way of 'business', caring about it and investing in it. Furthermore, since the hastening of Moshiach's coming depends on fulfilling this mitzvah, which is the purpose of creation, one should put special effort into this mitzvah.

The Talmud Yerushalmi proves from the pesukim that Hashem cherishes this mitzvah even more than the building of the Beis HaMikdash.