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Question
In the Book of Genesis: 1) why did the writers choose to use the rib and not some other part of Adam to create Eve, and 2) why is the apple, and not some other fruit, associated with the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (apples are never mentioned and yet many people asume that the fruit was an apple)?
Answer
There is rich literature called Aggadah, legendary material, that comments on these early chapters of Genesis. The Aggadah asks similar questions and provides many different answers. Some answers are funny, some are ironic, and some are even a little insulting to women (but remember they were written at the time of ancient Rome, not today!).
Most modern Rabbis look at these early Biblical texts not as accurate data or real history, but rather as a perspective of what is expected of us by our Creator.
One Aggadata or Midrash suggests that if God has used (instead of the rib) the toe, Eve would have been a run-around. Likewise, if God had used (instead of the rib) an elbow, then Eve would "bend the elbow" and drink too much.
Why the apple? Well, many other fruits are suggested, including the tomato! In ancient lore the apple had various meanings and were a tempting love fruit with possible sexual overtones.
The question to ask is if the events in the Garden of Eden really happened. My own opinion is probably not. Then why do we read and study the Torah story and its commentaries so carefully? We study the text and commentary in order to glean from it how we can live a better life and be better human beings.
Best
Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation
for Family Education (FFFE)
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