Midrash Genesis Rabba (Vilna edition), 8:12
בראשית רבה (וילנא) פרשה ח סימן יב
ורדו בדגת הים, אמר רבי חנינא אם זכה רדו ואם לאו ירדו, אמר רבי יעקב דכפר חנין את שהוא בצלמנו כדמותנו ורדו, את שאינו בצלמנו כדמותנו ירדו, רבי יעקב דמן כפר חנן אמר יבא צלמנו ודמותנו, וירדה לשאינו דומה לצלמנו כדמותנו
"And they shall rule over the fish of the sea" (Genesis 1:26): Rabbi Chanina said, “if he merits it then [G-d says] have dominion, while if he does not merit, then [G-d says] he will be taken down.” Rabbi Yaakov of Kfar Chanin said, "If he [the human acts] in Our image and likeness [then] 'he will rule,' if he [acts] not in Our image and likeness, then 'and he will be taken down.' Rabbi Yaakov of Kfar Chanin said [further]: “the [righteous person] who is in Our image and likeness will come, and rule over [wicked people and animals] who are not in Our image and likeness." [translation by Rabbi Yonatan Neril, adapted in part from that of Isaac Levy to Rabbi Samphson Raphael Hirsch, The Pentateuch to Genesis 1:26 (citation below) and Soncino Midrash Rabbah]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

What type of relationship between humanity and other creatures does this reflect?

How do we understand humanity’s “rulership” over animals in our everyday lives?

Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)