Derech Eretz Guards the Tree of Life

Tanna DeBei Eliyahu Rabbah 1:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And He drove out the man" (Genesis 3:24). This teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, gave him a divorce like a wife. "And He placed at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim" (Genesis 3:24). This teaches that the cherubim preceded all the work of creation. "And the flame of the ever-turning sword" (Genesis 3:24), this is Gehinnom. "To guard the way" (Genesis 3:24), this is proper worldly conduct. "The tree of life" (Genesis 3:24). This teaches that proper worldly conduct preceded the tree of life. And "the tree of life" means only Torah, as it is said, "It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it" (Proverbs 3:18).

Themes

Adam EveTorahHellEthicsAngels

Biblical References

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