1

My question is maybe an elaboration on this question "How does the tree of life work?:

The Gemmorah says that G-d decides exclusively on a person’s lifespan. But the Torah says that G-d Himself is frightened by the idea that Adam could eat from the tree of life and become immortal.

So says for example Ramban ibid:

רצה הקב"ה שתתקיים גזירתו במיתת האדם ואם יאכל מעץ החיים שנברא לתת לאוכליו חיי עולם תבטל הגזרה או שלא ימות כלל או שלא יבא יומו בעת הנגזר עליו ועל תולדותיו

How this contradiction is resolved?

8
  • Something "created to grant immortality" would require a fundamental change in nature to override its effect, so better a minor intervention in nature than a major one. I presume that's why you reference a Gemora about G-d's control over lifespan (where?) rather than the general idea of G-d's omnipotence, but I don't think that it removes the basic thrust of the answer.
    – AKA
    Oct 31, 2019 at 19:39
  • @AKA I think the opposite - the creation of "something to grant immortality" contradicts G-d's exclusive right to decide.
    – Al Berko
    Oct 31, 2019 at 19:44
  • Not really - exclusive unless eaten from the tree... "Cold and heat" are not biydei shamayim either.
    – AKA
    Oct 31, 2019 at 19:46
  • Rambam thinks the tree of life did not denote good and evil but from right from wrong.
    – Jonathan
    Oct 31, 2019 at 20:09
  • 1
    The story is clearly based on / responding to the Epic of Gilgamesh, in which the gods were not considered as omnipotent as the later monotheistic one. Nov 8, 2019 at 13:56

0

You must log in to answer this question.