One of the most formidable leaders in world history was Alexander the Great. He ascended the throne at just twenty years old, and by the age of thirty had conquered vast territories across Asia. His empire stretched from Greece to northwestern India, an achievement unparalleled in scope.
Chazal relate a striking encounter during one of his campaigns when Alexander came upon the entrance to Gan Eden (Tamid 32b). Standing there, he declared arrogantly: “I am Alexander the Great. Open for me. This is my domain.”
The response was unequivocal: “Zeh ha’shaar la’Hashem tzaddikim yavo’u vo—This is the gate of G-d; only the righteous may enter.” Alexander, undeterred, replied: “If I cannot enter, at least give me something.” Surprisingly, his request was granted. From Gan Eden emerged an object that rolled toward him.
At first, Alexander assumed it was a jewel, a priceless gem, and curious, he placed it on a scale. To his astonishment, though, the scale immediately tipped downward. He then began piling gold and silver on the opposite side, but nothing balanced it. The eye outweighed them all.
Perplexed, Alexander summoned the elders of Eretz Yisrael. They looked at the object and said, “This is no jewel. It is a human eye.” They explained that the human eye is never satisfied. It is never full, never content. It always wants to see more, to possess more, to conquer more. No amount of gold or silver can outweigh the unchecked desire contained within it.
To demonstrate, they took a small handful of dust and covered the eye, and instantly, the scale balanced. The eye, unable to see, suddenly lost its overpowering weight.
The story is deeply perplexing. Why would Alexander be given a gift from Gan Eden at all? And why an eye—an object that symbolizes desire, lust, and insatiability? What place does such an eye have in Gan Eden?
The answer lies in the message being conveyed. They were explaining to Alexander precisely why he could not enter. “You cannot control your eye. Wherever you look, you seek to dominate. Nothing is ever enough. This unrestrained desire—the endless need to see, to take, to expand—is what drives your campaign for world conquest. A person ruled by such desire does not enter Gan Eden.”
But there is another side to the message.
This eye—this same eye of desire—was in Gan Eden. Why? Because an eye has the potential to learn restraint and be eye that covers itself and chooses control. All of its potential desire can remain contained, disciplined and unexpressed. And that restraint transforms it into something of immeasurable value, and more precious than all the gold and silver in the world.
That is why it belongs in Gan Eden.
We are all confronted with constant tests: the desire to look, the urge to see, the pull of temptation. These challenges never end. But the choice is ours.
We can allow the eye to rule us or we can rule the eye. And when we say no and elevate desire rather than surrender to it, we transform something ordinary, even dangerous, into the most precious jewel imaginable.
A jewel worthy of entry into Gan Eden.
