The Tree of Life Lives

Genesis 2:9-15

Tree of Life and the Tree of all Knowledge

5/3 led by R. Marder


Tree of Life and the Tree of all Knowledge!
The image of the tree!
Image of the garden!

Samson Raphael Hirsch: “Our esthetic sense is a Divine gift.”

The Tree of Life can be found in mythological references which is evident as a possible source for the concept in other Biblical passages which refer to similar imagery as the mythological image.

The reference occurs several times in the Book of Proverbs.

‘Ashrei’ - which links happiness to wisdom. This sparked a discussion to explore ‘wisdom’, ‘Torah’, and ‘happiness’ and how they are defined and linked to each other.

The meaning of ‘Wisdom’ was discussed and it was pointed out that in Hebrew there are many more ‘types’ of wisdom than in English.

The discussion highlighted the evolution of the concept from the mythological tree of eternal life to the imagery of the Tree of Life as actually a reference to the Torah itself. And that in fact when looked at in the broader sense of the whole people, the Torah actually is a ‘Tree of Life’ keeping us alive for thousands of years through the generations.

(Side fact: The spindles that hold the Torah scroll are called Eytz Chayim – tree of life)

The historic significance of the quest for immortality has some connection to the reference to the ‘tree of life’ but it is not the same focus as that of the ancient kings. (found a book on this topic)

The overall focus of Torah is more on morality and the relationship between man and God rather than on the quest for immortality.

Rambam: “what is divine is our intellect” - an elitist point of view.

R. Marder: “It is a rich stew of different visions of what it is to be a Jew.”

The Tree of Life was in the middle of the garden.
An extended discussion of how this interpretation came about: the translation is based on the placement of the words and the focus on the words in context. This puts the tree in the MIDDLE of the garden! And then it is pointed out that when the tree IS in the middle that all have equal access to it and that all paths lead there.

There was further review of the geography described in reference to Eden and whether it was a definable place or not. Where the 4 rivers meet is seemingly not realistic.


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Notes to note: (nice quotes from class)

Talmud: The purpose of learning is to teach it to others.

When people meet there should always be a word of Torah between you to assure that God is present.

Each person has his or her own Torah to pass along.

Teach in the name of your teacher and it keeps them alive.

Humans were put in this world to tend it and make it better.