Now You Know!

The Tree of Life was the centerpiece of the Garden of Eden. It towered over all, and was enrobed in clouds of Glory. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was near it, as we know from Chava's reply to the snake that they could eat from any but "the tree in the center of the garden." One Midrash suggests it grew around the Tree of Life, almost like a fence or barrier.

One more interesting fact is that according to the Haamek Davar, based on Onkelos, the Tree of Life did not bear fruit. Rather, its leaves had medicinal benefit. Thus, the Tree of Life did not provide physical enjoyment while the other Tree did. It would seem that the juxtaposition of these opposing forces, the lifegiving yet esoteric tree, and the tree which let someone experience sin through physical interaction and pleasure, is indicative of this world.

Our bodies and souls are placed together, with the ultimate goal to partake of the "Tree of Life," by serving Hashem. We are prevented from doing so by the interference of the Tree of Knowledge which attracts us to its physicality. While Chava knew to stay far away from the tree at the center of the garden, she didn't know there were actually two trees, one of which was poison, and the other, the antidote.

The lesson is that we must overcome challenges and even deprivation to gain access to real life, but it is worthwhile. The extra measure of protection of not touching or approaching the tree of Knowledge, led to missing out on the glorious Tree of Life which was central to Hashem's plan.