From where did Hashem take Adam, before placing him in Gan Eden?
Targum Yonasan: He took 1 him from Har ha'Moriyah (the location of the Beis-Ha'Mikdash), where He had created him.
I.e., He convinced him with pleasant words (Rashi).
What is the meaning of "le'Ovdah u'le'Shomrah"?
Targum Onkelos and Avos d'Rebbi Nasan, Perek 11: It means to work in the garden and to look after it.
Targum Yonasan and Sifrei (in Eikev): It means to study Torah and to keep Mitzvos.
Ramban #1 (to 2:8): It means to plant wheat, vegetables or spices, and to harvest it at will (since it grew as soon as it was planted), and to pick fruit and eat it as he pleased.
Ramban #2 (to 3:22, citing Midrash): It means to bring Korbanos. The special blessings of Gan Eden depend upon the influence of the celestial powers, which in turn, are activated by the Korbanos brought by Man.
Seforno #1: It means to serve his Nishmas Chayim and to preserve the moisture in his body from dissipating (presumably by eating the fruits in the garden).
Seforno #2 (in 2:8): It means to receive the Tzelem Elokim and to indulge in spiritual matters via the garden's air and its food.
Why does the Torah refer to the garden in the feminine - "le'Ovdah u'le'Shomrah"?
Chizkuni and Rabeinu Bachye (citing Midrash Rabah): Because these words allude to keeping Shabbos.
Ramban: Because the Pasuk is referring to working the earth, or the furrows, which are feminine.
Ramban and Radak: Because the word "Gan" (garden) can sometimes be feminine). 1
Seforno: Because the Torah is referring, not to serving and protecting the garden, but to man's own Nishmas Chayim (living soul).
Ramban: See, for example Yeshayah 61:11.
What is the significance of the sequence of the current Pasuk being followed by " ... mi'Kol Eitz ha'Gan Achol Tochel" (2:16)?
Avos d'Rebbi Nasan, Perek 11: It teaches us the importance of work - since even Adam ha'Rishon did not eat before performing Melachah. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 7.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Hashem took' - ... using pleasant words." Why does Rashi explain in this way?
Gur Aryeh: Man's essence is not his body, but rather his intelligence, which cannot be "taken" in the physical sense. The only way to take a person's opinion is by convincing him with words. 1
Rashi writes: " He took [Adam] using pleasant words... and enticed him to enter." What is Rashi adding?
Gur Aryeh: Hashem told Adam that it was Gan Eden, so that he would enter willingly.
