"The reason for this commandment ('Be fruitful and multiply') is in order that the world be inhabited, for Ha-Shem (G-d), be He blessed, desires its inhabitance... This is a great commandment that is the cause of the fulfillment of all the other commandments in the world, for the Torah was given to mankind and not to the ministering angels. Therefore, [a man] must leave after him someone that will fulfill the Torah and the commandments and will recognize that there is an omnipotent watchful Creator, and [ensure] that this matter not cease to be among Israel. This is the intent of our Sages of blessed memory in that which they said, 'The principal offspring of the righteous is their good deeds.' This means that the principal intent of the righteous in siring [future] generations is to bring beings into existence that will fulfill the commandments and engage in good deeds."
-Rabbi Yeshayah ha-Levi Horowitz, Sheney Luchoth ha-Berith, "Torah she-biKhthav," B'Reshith
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