This week we begin our annual reading of the Torah with the creation story in parashat “Bereisheet”- “The Beginning”. We read about the world’s creation, the development of herbage and animal life, the first family on Earth, and humanity’s expansion. We read that God created one human “in His own image”, “male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1: v 28)
Man and woman, Adam and Eve (Chava in Hebrew) were told that the world was theirs. They could do as they wished and eat ALMOST anything in the Garden of Eden – but not from the Tree of Life, of Good and Evil. As we know, Eve did eat from that tree. She shared the fruit with Adam and they were punished with exile from the garden. Why did Eve eat the fruit?
When God created the world, God did not stop at the creation of light, or the creation of land, sea, and sky, or the creation of plants. Animals and people were created too. Each element God created is a scientific wonder. God made His Creation richer, more and more detailed, and more and more. Maybe Eve was curious and wanted to be able to create too. Maybe she thought that the fruit from that special tree would open her world to broader, exciting thoughts. And maybe she wanted to share her excitement and opened eyes with Adam.
Mural by Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt painted a mural at a World Exposition in Chicago in 1893. It shows Eve distributing fruit to all the women, spreading knowledge. It’s a wonderful idea that Eve wanted knowledge to develop the world and new ideas. She wanted to share that ability and empower those around her. Together, they would make the world a richer, more exciting place.
We know that Eve and Adam had two sons. Cain was jealous of Abel when God accepted Abel’s sacrifice. Instead of asking himself, “What can I do better next time?” Cain killed Abel. He committed the heinous act of murder instead of bettering himself. Maybe the murder is a sign of jealousy that comes with having one’s eyes opened negatively.
May we look at the world and better it through partnership and sharing.
Let’s not allow hatred to rule us or to savage others.
And let’s pray for peace and wisdom.
Shabbat Shalom.
Laya
Laya Crust 