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TREE OF KNOWLEDGE, TREE OF LIFE

The woman said to the serpent, “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden, we may eat, but of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, God said, ‘You shall not eat of it, and you shall not touch it, lest you die.’” (Bereishis 3:2-3)

G-d only said not to eat from the tree. Because she added to the command, she came to detract from it. The snake pushed her against the tree and said, “See. Just like you did not die from touching, so you will not die from eating.”
(Rashi 3:2-3)

… she took of its fruit, and she ate, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. (Bereishis 3:6)

Chava (Eve), the first woman, ate from the forbidden fruit and then convinced her husband to eat, as well. She seems to be the instigator of the original sin. The truth is, however, that it all began with Adam. Chava was not yet created when G-d told Adam not to eat from the tree; she heard the instructions second hand from Adam. But Adam changed G-d’s words and told Chava that they would die even for touching the tree. Because of this error, Chava sinned and caused her husband to sin.

Were Chava to have heard the command directly from Hashem, not only would she have stayed away from sin, but she would have ensured that her husband did the same. The lesson for us is that women must learn from the original sources, not second hand. Particularly, women must learn Chassidus, which is called the Tree of Life. Then, not only will they benefit themselves, but they will also feed its fruit to others, bringing eternal life to the entire world.

Hisvaaduyos Simchas Torah 5723 Seif 42