According to Midrash Tehillim, a collection of insightful interpretations on the Book of Psalms, Adam, the first man, wasn't just plopped down anywhere. After being driven from the Garden of Eden, he settled on Mount Moriah. Why there? Because, the Midrash explains, the gates of Eden were close by. It's a powerful image, isn't it? Adam, expelled but still lingering near the source of all creation.
The text goes on to say that God took Adam from the place of the Holy Temple and returned him to the earth outside the Garden on Mount Moriah, to till the soil from which he was taken, as it says in Bereshit (Genesis 3:23). So, in this view, the Temple Mount is not just significant later in Jewish history, but intimately connected to the very beginning of humanity.
Midrash Tehillim then pivots to Psalm 92, "It is good to give thanks to God," attributing this sentiment directly to Adam himself. The idea here is profound: that even after the expulsion, even after the mistake, gratitude is the appropriate response. This teaches all generations that confessing and abandoning sins leads to salvation. There's a beautiful cycle of repentance and redemption woven into the fabric of existence. It highlights that God's kindness extends into the next world, a perpetual morning, while His faith sustains this world, like the enduring night.
And, get this: The Midrash emphasizes the importance of communal testimony. It notes that many significant acts require a quorum of ten people (a minyan). From playing the harp, reminiscent of King David’s melodies, to legal testimonies, circumcision, blessings, and property redemptions – the presence of ten underscores the weight and validity of these acts. As it says, “And Boaz took ten men” (Ruth 4:2). It’s a reminder that we are not alone on this journey; community and shared experience strengthen our connection to the divine.
Interestingly, the text then quotes God as saying, "I do not want a song with a harp from Israel, but rather the meditation of their lips," referencing the verse, "My meditation on Him shall be sweet" (Psalm 104:34). This suggests that while outward expressions of praise are valuable, inward reflection and heartfelt prayer are even more cherished. It's about the sincerity of our connection, not just the spectacle.
Then comes a fascinating anecdote involving Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, a central figure in the Kabbalah, and his students. Rabbi Hezekiah, son of Rabbi Jeremiah, recounts how one of Rabbi Shimon's disciples became wealthy after visiting Hadakai. The other students, seeing this wealth, grew envious. To teach them a lesson, Rabbi Shimon miraculously filled a valley with gold coins, telling them they could take as much as they wanted. However, he warned them that whatever they took would be deducted from their reward in the world to come. Upon hearing this, the students wisely withdrew their hands and instead proclaimed, "My happiness is in your deeds, O Lord." It's a powerful reminder that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in spiritual fulfillment.
The Midrash concludes with a personal aspiration: "May the Lord make me happy and bring me into the Garden of Eden, and show me the place of the righteous... and show me the son of Jesse who will rule in the future, and I will add seventy years to my life." It's a prayer for divine grace, a glimpse into the rewards awaiting the righteous, and a longing for the messianic era.
So, what does it all mean? Perhaps it's a call to remember our origins, to appreciate the gift of repentance, to value community, and to seek true wealth not in material possessions but in a deep and meaningful connection with the Divine. It's a story that invites us to contemplate our place in the grand tapestry of existence, from the Garden of Eden to the promise of a future filled with righteousness and peace. And maybe, just maybe, to cultivate a little more gratitude in our own lives, today.