Parshat Bereishit
Diving Deeper: The Mystery of the Forbidden Fruit
Would it surprise you to know that the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden wasn't an apple? The truth is, the Torah doesn't tell us what the forbidden fruit is. Even the smartest rabbis can only guess.
Watch the video below to hear some rabbinic guesses then decide which one you like best.
Watch the video below to hear some rabbinic guesses then decide which one you like best.
This video teaches us that there were many opinions regarding what the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge may have been. Five rabbis share their opinions in this midrash (a story about a story in the Torah):
1. Rabbi Abba suggests it's an etrog
2. Rabbi Meir says it's wheat
3. Rabbi Yossi says it's a fig
4. Rabbi Berachia says that we are not supposed to know what the fruit is because it would remind us of our exile from the Garden of Eden, and each time we saw it it would cause us to be sad and despair.
Take a moment to consider these questions with your family. Then submit your answers below:
1. What do you think the fruit might be? Which rabbinic answer do you like best? Why?
2. Do you think it's important to know exactly what fruit Adam and Eve ate? If so, why? What does it add to your understanding of the story? If not, why not?
1. Rabbi Abba suggests it's an etrog
2. Rabbi Meir says it's wheat
3. Rabbi Yossi says it's a fig
4. Rabbi Berachia says that we are not supposed to know what the fruit is because it would remind us of our exile from the Garden of Eden, and each time we saw it it would cause us to be sad and despair.
Take a moment to consider these questions with your family. Then submit your answers below:
1. What do you think the fruit might be? Which rabbinic answer do you like best? Why?
2. Do you think it's important to know exactly what fruit Adam and Eve ate? If so, why? What does it add to your understanding of the story? If not, why not?
