The Torah tells us Adam and Eve then had another son, Seth, but it doesn't delve too deeply into his significance. But Jewish tradition, ever eager to fill in the gaps, certainly does!

One fascinating interpretation comes from the Midrash of Philo, an ancient Jewish text attributed to the philosopher Philo of Alexandria. Now, Philo lived a long time ago, around the 1st century CE, and he tried to blend Jewish thought with Greek philosophy. So, his interpretations are often quite… allegorical.

According to the Midrash of Philo, Seth isn't just another son; he's a second beginning, a "second nativity of Abel." It's a bit like a spiritual do-over. Abel, in this view, represents something descending from above, something perhaps too pure for this world, which is why he "perished injuriously." Seth, on the other hand, is something rising from below, growing and increasing.

Think of it this way: Abel’s sacrifice was “brought back and offered upwards to God.” But the text asks a crucial question: Should everything be raised up? Philo argues that only the good should ascend, because God isn't the source of evil. Things that are "indistinct and uncertain, and mingled, and in confusion and disorder" – those get a mix of blame and praise. Praise because they still acknowledge the divine source, but blame because they lack intention or gratitude.

Nature, the Midrash continues, separated the brothers. It made the good one – Abel – "worthy of immortality, resolving him into a voice interceding with God," while the wicked one – Cain – it gave over to corruption. The good are granted immortality and can intercede on our behalf, while the wicked are left to rot.

But what about Seth? His name, according to Philo, is interpreted as "watered," like a plant that grows and bears fruit when nourished. He represents the soul, growing and developing. And this brings us to a crucial point: we can't say God causes both good and bad equally. God is only the cause of the good. Only the good should be “planted alive.”

So, what does this all mean? It’s a reminder that we have the potential for growth and renewal, like Seth. We have the choice to cultivate the good within ourselves and let it flourish. Philo is telling us that our souls are like plants that need to be watered with good deeds and intentions. Only then can we truly grow and bear fruit.