In Bereishis 3:3, the Passuk tells us that Chava told the snake that Hashem commanded them (Adam and Chava) not to touch the Aitz HaDaas (the tree of knowledge). Rashi (ibid) tells us that this was not entirely correct. Adam, according to Rashi, added to Hashem’s command and told Chava that Hashem said not to touch the Aitz HaDaas as a protective measure, to help ensure that Chava would not eat from it which was Hashem’s actual command.
Chava’s assumption was that the reason Hashem had commanded them not to touch it was because it had contained something poisonous to the touch (See Sifsei Chachamim to 3:4). Rashi then explains that the snake pushed her into the Aitz HaDaas and said, “Just as you did not die by touching it, so you will not die by eating it.” It was at this point that she concluded that Hashem was not being truthful as to the consequences of touching or eating from the Aitz HaDaas and so she ate from its fruit.
The question is, why didn’t she realize that it was her assumption that could be wrong? Perhaps the reason why Hashem said not to touch it was not because it was poisonous to the touch or perhaps, it was only poisonous to the touch if one touched it intentionally (and not by being pushed into the tree as the snake had done to her)?
The answer lies in the idea that no one wants to be wrong. We are imbued with a profound love of ourselves and a high degree of Gaavah (hubris). These two factors combine to lead us to distort truths – and sometimes with devastating consequences. Since Chava did not consider that her assumption about the Aitz HaDaas could be wrong, she ate from its fruit and a different reality for mankind took hold – if it wasn’t for Chava’s sin, we would have lived in the Garden of Eden forever. What we can learn from Chava is the need to temper the self-love and the hubris that we all have and concede that our assumptions and perceptions can be mistaken. That will lead us to better decision making and will lead us to live life more honestly and responsibly.
