Garden of Eden Midrash
Midrash is a Jewish tradition of creative and expansive re-tellings of scriptures. Through midrash, one can enter into the conversation between God and humans. These imaginative re-tellings of scripture allow us to learn more about both ourselves and God.
In the beginning, Mother-God and Father-God created the Earth and all things on it. When the Earth was beautiful and filled with amazing things, Father-God created Adam in His image. Then Mother-God created Eve in Her image. They placed Adam and Eve in a garden on the Earth.
In the center of this garden was a pond with a small island. On the island were two trees. One tree had fruit that shimmered like pearls in the sunlight. Mother-God called this tree the Tree of Life because it could help Adam and Eve live forever. The other tree had fruit that was a dusky red. This tree was called the Tree of Knowledge because it could help Adam and Eve learn much, much more than just what was in the garden.
Together Mother-God and Father-God warned Adam and Eve to be particularly careful about the trees on the island. Father-God said that the fruit of each tree was delicious and good. The fruit from the Tree of Life had the power to make them live forever, but eating it would also require that they stay in the garden. Father-God warned that even though eating fruit from the Tree of Knowledge would increase their ability to learn and understand good and evil, it would also make them mortal and susceptible to death and disease. Mother-God said that despite Father-God’s warnings, the choice to eat fruit from either one of the trees was theirs. But because it was not a choice that could be unmade, she suggested they each ponder it until they were sure.
Mother-God and Father-God often visited the garden. They walked with Adam and Eve in the shade of the trees and taught them which plants were good to eat and which smelled good when the leaves were crushed. Sometimes Father-God’s deep, rumbly laugh would be echoed by a chorus of animals.
Mother-God particularly loved the snakes. Sometimes she would allow one to rest upon her head like a crown while she talked with Eve and Adam.
One day Mother-God walked alone with Eve. She gave Eve a chance to ask any and all questions she had.
Eve explained that she was curious and eager to learn. She wanted to know everything Mother-God knew, to become wise and compassionate like her. Eve acknowledged she was also nervous about facing death and disease. She felt apprehensive about leaving the familiarity of the garden.
“Is there no other way to become like you?” Eve asked Mother-God.
“No, my daughter.” Mother-God paused and looked Eve in the eyes. “This choice rests with you. I will love you and support your choice, no matter your decision.”
The next time Mother-God and Father-God visited the garden, Adam and Eve met them holding hands.
“We have made our choice. We have each chosen to eat of the Tree of Knowledge.” Adam said.
“What do we do next?” asked Eve.
Mother-God and Father-God spent extra time in the garden, helping Adam and Eve prepare to go out into the wilderness. Father-God created clothing out of animal skins to cover their nakedness and protect them from the cold. Mother-God taught Eve how to care for herself while menstruating and which plants would help with the pains of childbirth. Together Mother-God and Father-God gave them advice and told them to love and care for each other their whole lives.
Before Adam and Eve left the garden, Mother-God and Father-God gave them each a long hug. They promised that, even though they wouldn’t be walking side by side with Adam and Eve like in the garden, they would send help if requested. And one day, after Adam and Eve had learned of the world outside the garden, grown wise, and developed compassion, they would be reunited with Mother-God and Father-God.
