However, after eating from the Tree of Knowledge, when self-oriented desires became mixed into their consciousness, it became difficult to separate themselves from materialistic indulgence.
A2: And therefore, Hashem did not want Adam to taste from the Tree of Knowledge, since it was injurious to him, as previously explained. Really, He wanted that Adam should have no knowledge of the existence of evil at all, so that he would be entirely holy. He did not want to bring him into this intense war.
However, after he already ate from the Tree of Knowledge and internalized the evil, then Hashem said, (Bereishis 3:22-3) “Lest he stretch his hand forth and take also from the Tree of Life and eat and live forever, thus Hashem sent him out of Gan Eden.”
Meaning: Now that Adam already internalized the mixture of evil, Hashem was concerned that if he would take also from the Tree of Life -
The “Shattering of the Vessels” of Tohu is the ultimate source of life for unholiness, and therefore the ultimate source of death, which is a result of unholiness. This possibility of unholiness and death became manifest in the level of the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil,” also known as the outer aspect of Malchus of Atzilus, which is the direct source of the life and existence of beings that feel separate from Hashem and are able to choose unholy conduct, which produces death.
However, the Tree of Life, also known as Ze’eir Anpin, is higher than direct involvement with created beings that possess unholiness and death, and is not connected with the “Shattering of the Vessels of Tohu.”
Then, if Adam would eat also from it, “then it (the evil) will live forever.”
Meaning that, in truth regarding this level (of the Tree of Life) it says (Iyov 35:6-7), “If you are righteous, what does that offer Him? And if your misdeeds be many, what does that do to Him?”
The level of the Tree of Life, which is higher than the “Shattering of the Vessels,” of Tohu, is higher than being a source of life for unholiness. Since it is higher than any connection to unholiness, it is also not affected by unholiness at all. Because of this, it is able to be revealed to a Jew, or to Adam, who was the source of Jewish souls, even if he is mixed together with unholiness. However, since this Jew, or Adam, who is mixed together with unholiness also receives from the Tree of Life, which is above the concept of death, this tremendous flow of Divine Life will also come into the unholiness mixed into the person, since it is inseparable from the person himself.
If so, even if he is mixed up with evil, even if “Your misdeeds be many, etc.” nonetheless, it would still be possible that he would “live forever,” and then the evil itself would also exist forever, since it was internalized and mixed into him and it cannot be separated from him.
If so, then when he would live forever, then also the evil within him would exist forever.
And this is the opposite of the intention for creating the world, for the purpose of creation is that there must be (Yeshaya 25:8) “Death being swallowed up forever,” so that it should fulfill the verse (Devarim 13:6) “You shall exterminate (all) evil,” as in the saying (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers), “And all the wickedness should go up in smoke,” which will be in the Days of Moshiach.
Since death is a byproduct of evil and sin, the eradication of all evil also removes all death forever. The ultimate purpose of creation is to accomplish this state of purity from evil and eternal life.
