But the rabbis of old, they didn't miss a trick. They saw layers of meaning in every word, every phrase. And this one, from Genesis 2:9, really got them thinking: Why does Moses – remember, tradition says Moses wrote the Torah – why does he specifically point out that every tree was BOTH beautiful AND delicious?
What’s the deal?
Well, the Midrash of Philo asks this very question. Midrash, by the way, is our way of diving deep into the text, searching for hidden wisdom. And Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher who lived way back in the first century, he had some pretty interesting ideas about the Torah.
So, what's the answer according to the Midrash of Philo?
The text doesn't explicitly say! Leaving us on a cliffhanger! Instead, it's an invitation for us to think about the nature of goodness itself. Was Moses just describing a really nice orchard? Or was he hinting at something deeper about the balance between aesthetics and utility, between pleasure and purpose?
Maybe it’s suggesting that true goodness isn't just about what pleases the eye, or just about what satisfies our hunger. Maybe it's about finding that perfect harmony where beauty and benefit intertwine. Where something is both a joy to experience and a source of nourishment.
Think about it. How often do we separate those two things in our lives? We pursue beauty, but sometimes it's empty. We chase after practical things, but they can feel… dull.
Perhaps the Garden of Eden, with its trees "beautiful to look upon and good to eat," is a reminder that the ideal is to find – or create – things that nourish us on every level. Things that feed our souls as much as they feed our bodies.
So, the next time you're admiring a sunset, or enjoying a delicious meal, take a moment to appreciate that perfect combination. And maybe, just maybe, you'll catch a glimpse of the Garden of Eden right here, right now.