(Bereshit / Genesis 1–3)
When many people hear the story of Adam and Eve, they think it is mainly about sin and punishment. In Jewish tradition, the story is understood a little differently. Judaism reads this story not as a tale of “original sin,” but as a lesson about human growth, responsibility, and choice.
Created in God’s Image
The Torah tells us that Adam and Eve were created b’tzelem Elohim — in the image of God. This does not mean they looked like God. It means that humans are given special qualities: the ability to think, to choose, to create, and to act morally.
From the very beginning, Judaism teaches that human beings are good and capable, not born sinful.
The Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden represents a world without struggle. Adam and Eve have everything they need. They do not work the land, worry about food, or face danger. But there is also one important limit: they are told not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Why would God place this tree in the garden at all?
Jewish commentators explain that choice is essential to being human. Without the ability to choose right or wrong, people would be like angels or animals — not truly human.
Eating from the Tree
When Adam and Eve eat from the tree, something changes. They gain da’at — awareness. They now understand good and evil, shame and responsibility. This act is not just disobedience; it is a step into moral adulthood.
The Torah does not say they are cursed forever. Instead, they are told that life will now include work, pain, and effort. Judaism understands this not as revenge, but as the reality of growing up. With knowledge comes responsibility.
Leaving the Garden
Being sent out of Eden is often seen as a tragedy, but Jewish tradition also sees it as a beginning. Outside the garden, humans can build families, create societies, practice justice, and bring holiness into the world.
In Judaism, the goal is not to return to Eden, but to bring Eden into the world through mitzvot, kindness, and ethical living.
The Message for Us
The story of Adam and Eve teaches three core Jewish ideas:
l Humans are created good, with dignity and divine potential.
l Mistakes are part of growth, not a permanent stain.
l God wants partners, not perfect beings — people who choose good again and again.
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