Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'your eyes shall be opened' mean in Genesis 3:5?
A: According to Rashi, 'your eyes shall be opened' refers to gaining a new awareness and understanding of good and evil, but not in a positive way. Before eating from the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Chava (Eve) instinctively knew right from wrong. After eating, they became confused by their desires and impulses, making moral choices more difficult.
Q: Why did the serpent say 'you shall be as gods' in Genesis 3:5?
A: The Midrash explains that the serpent was tempting Chava (Eve) with the false idea that humans could become like divine beings, having complete independence and control. In reality, this was a deception—true greatness comes from serving Hashem, not trying to replace Him. Rambam teaches that humility and recognizing our limitations are key to a proper relationship with G-d.
Q: What is the 'knowledge of good and evil' mentioned in Genesis 3:5?
A: The Talmud (Chagigah 12a) discusses that before eating from the tree, humans had a pure, instinctive understanding of right and wrong. After eating, they gained a yetzer hara (evil inclination), making moral choices a struggle between desire and duty. This is why we must study Torah—to guide us in distinguishing good from evil.
Q: How does Genesis 3:5 apply to us today?
A: This verse teaches us about the danger of being misled by false promises of greatness or shortcuts in spiritual growth. The Sages say the serpent's words represent the voice of temptation—whether for power, greed, or arrogance. Today, we overcome this by following Torah, doing mitzvot, and recognizing that true wisdom comes from Hashem, not our desires.
Q: Why did Hashem forbid eating from the Tree of Knowledge?
A: Rashi explains that Hashem wanted humans to earn wisdom through obedience and effort, not through rebellion. Eating from the tree represented choosing instant gratification over divine guidance. The Or HaChaim adds that the commandment was a test of free will—to show that true closeness to G-d comes from willingly choosing His will over our own impulses.
Understanding the Serpent's Argument
The verse (Bereshit 3:5) records the serpent's words to Chava (Eve), claiming that eating from the Tree of Knowledge would make Adam and Chava "like gods, knowing good and evil." Rashi explains that the serpent was suggesting that God was envious of humanity, fearing they would become His equals in wisdom. This reflects the yetzer hara's (evil inclination) tactic of portraying mitzvot as restrictive rather than protective.
The Nature of "Knowing Good and Evil"
Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:2) interprets "knowing good and evil" as referring to moral autonomy—the ability to choose between right and wrong based on human reasoning rather than divine command. Before eating from the tree, humans instinctively followed truth (emet) and falsehood (sheker) as objective realities. Afterward, they gained the subjective capacity to define good and evil, which introduced moral complexity.
Midrashic Perspectives
Theological Implications
The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) emphasizes that the serpent's promise was inherently flawed: to "be like gods" suggests independence from the Creator, which is impossible for created beings. The verse thus underscores the fundamental Jewish principle that true wisdom comes from submission to Divine authority (Mishlei 1:7), not from seeking to transcend it.
Practical Lessons