According to tradition, God didn't just leave the entrance to Paradise unguarded. Instead, He appointed the cherubim, those powerful, almost indescribable angelic beings, to stand watch. But they weren't alone. They were also called the "ever-turning sword of flames," a pretty intimidating image, right? This, we learn, is because angels, as the tradition tells us, are able to shift their forms as needed (Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews).
Now, what about the Tree of Life? Did Adam just lose access to immortality forever? Well, instead of the physical tree, God gave Adam something else: the Torah. The Torah, Jewish tradition teaches, is itself a "tree of life to them that lay hold upon her." So, Adam was allowed to settle near Paradise, specifically to the east, where he could, in a way, still be close to that original source of life.
But then came the moment of expulsion. After the sentences were pronounced upon Adam, Eve, and the serpent, God commanded the angels to banish the first couple from Paradise. Can you imagine the scene? Adam and Eve, overcome with grief, weeping and begging for mercy.
And here's where the story takes a fascinating turn. The angels, witnessing their despair, felt pity. They hesitated. They couldn't bring themselves to immediately carry out God's command. Instead, they decided to do something… risky. They delayed. They hoped to petition God, to plead for a more lenient judgment. Imagine the audacity!
But God was resolute. "Was it I that committed a trespass, or did I pronounce a false judgment?" He wouldn't budge. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, God's justice had to be served. Adam's plea for the fruit of the Tree of Life was also denied.
However—and this is crucial—it wasn't a complete and utter rejection. God promised Adam that if he lived a pious life, he would be given the fruit on the day of resurrection, and he would then live forever.
So, what does this all mean? It's a complex picture. There's justice, yes, and consequences for actions. But there's also compassion, even from the angels. And, perhaps most importantly, there's a promise of redemption, a future opportunity to partake in the Tree of Life, reminding us that even after mistakes, hope remains.