The Hebrew root Seen-Chaf-Lamed translates as practical wisdom or, in Yiddish, ‘Seichel’. Knowing what to do and when so as to maximize the chances of succeeding. The next time the same root appears in Torah is in Deuteronomy 29:9 in one of the most important statements—IMHO—in the entire Torah… Moses is encouraging the Hebrew people to accept the Covenant …
Unfortunately, Patriarchy has usurped this story and made it into the opposite. It is Patriarchy's version that most people hear. Some laugh and call it silly. Others culturally reinforce it. It's a tender time for women. Thank you for setting to record straight.
Wonderful! Thank you. Your words are a better gift I could ever have received for mother's day. How interesting that some men, in their fear of us, still try to keep us down!. Onlu when men and women form a true partnership will there ever be true equality....we won't find passages on THAT concept!!!
Thanks for making my day! BTW I like granny smith apples!😉
Is the drash about her restraint with regard to hunger and beauty , but succumbing to the appeal (apple?) of wisdom yours? Or drawn from an earlier commentary.
Your interpretation of the exile story is fascinating and thrilling! I went to Sefaria to re-read the Genesis story and found 3:23 translated as "So the Eternal God banished THEM from the Garden of Eden", and am wondering where your translation is from.
Thanks! I love your work and have given many copies of your Kohelet book away.
Rabbi Rami is right, the literal translation is "banish him" as in Adam. The reason Sefaria and many others translate as "them" is because "Adam" can mean Adam the male, or Adam as in humanity. In context, it's easier and makes sense to interpret the situation as God expelling humanity, make and female, because Eve clearly lives on, outside of the Garden after this story. However, Rabbi Rami's interpretation is literally correct and exegetically fascinating! Was Eve forced out, or did she choose to leave on her own accord, and if so why? You might also be fascinated to learn that no word for "sin" appears anywhere in that story, not in relationship to Adam or Chavah. That word doesn't show up until the story of Cain and Abel.
Thank you for your helpful additions, Moshe! Rabbi Rami's interpretation has indeed fascinated me, and I shared it this morning in my shul's meditation group. I think it blew several people's minds! I'm still digesting it! It's startling, yet somehow easy, to imagine women, from the beginning(!), "choosing" to try to protect the planet from the mindless consumerist mentality of male leaders. Kein hi ratzon, in spite of the current dire scenario!
Just to be clear, the reason for why the woman left, is not in the text, that's all Rabbi Rami's drash. It's not clear to me what destruction the Adam was responsible for, at that early stage of the story. I am inclined to want to uplift the positive role of the woman, without demonazing the man. Otherwise we just replace one set of demonization with another. How does that help? Popular culture does a lot do that these days. Let's not contribute to it.
I love your wisdom and support of women
So glad you saw that sign and wrote about it :)
This is so good that I sent it to my entire parish.💖🙏🏼😊
Wonderful! Sharing with my congregation immediately!
The Hebrew root Seen-Chaf-Lamed translates as practical wisdom or, in Yiddish, ‘Seichel’. Knowing what to do and when so as to maximize the chances of succeeding. The next time the same root appears in Torah is in Deuteronomy 29:9 in one of the most important statements—IMHO—in the entire Torah… Moses is encouraging the Hebrew people to accept the Covenant …
Unfortunately, Patriarchy has usurped this story and made it into the opposite. It is Patriarchy's version that most people hear. Some laugh and call it silly. Others culturally reinforce it. It's a tender time for women. Thank you for setting to record straight.
The command for Redemption from this "sin" is abusive power. Proverbs passage is rarely preached.
Wonderful! Thank you. Your words are a better gift I could ever have received for mother's day. How interesting that some men, in their fear of us, still try to keep us down!. Onlu when men and women form a true partnership will there ever be true equality....we won't find passages on THAT concept!!!
Thanks for making my day! BTW I like granny smith apples!😉
My wife especially loves this one. She will share it with her Soul Sisters study group this Tuesday.
You bring such a refreshing perspective to biblical texts. Thank you from a sister clergy.
Love it.
Is the drash about her restraint with regard to hunger and beauty , but succumbing to the appeal (apple?) of wisdom yours? Or drawn from an earlier commentary.
A great gift! Thanks!!
Dear Rabbi Rami,
Your interpretation of the exile story is fascinating and thrilling! I went to Sefaria to re-read the Genesis story and found 3:23 translated as "So the Eternal God banished THEM from the Garden of Eden", and am wondering where your translation is from.
Thanks! I love your work and have given many copies of your Kohelet book away.
Rabbi Rami is right, the literal translation is "banish him" as in Adam. The reason Sefaria and many others translate as "them" is because "Adam" can mean Adam the male, or Adam as in humanity. In context, it's easier and makes sense to interpret the situation as God expelling humanity, make and female, because Eve clearly lives on, outside of the Garden after this story. However, Rabbi Rami's interpretation is literally correct and exegetically fascinating! Was Eve forced out, or did she choose to leave on her own accord, and if so why? You might also be fascinated to learn that no word for "sin" appears anywhere in that story, not in relationship to Adam or Chavah. That word doesn't show up until the story of Cain and Abel.
Thank you for your helpful additions, Moshe! Rabbi Rami's interpretation has indeed fascinated me, and I shared it this morning in my shul's meditation group. I think it blew several people's minds! I'm still digesting it! It's startling, yet somehow easy, to imagine women, from the beginning(!), "choosing" to try to protect the planet from the mindless consumerist mentality of male leaders. Kein hi ratzon, in spite of the current dire scenario!
Just to be clear, the reason for why the woman left, is not in the text, that's all Rabbi Rami's drash. It's not clear to me what destruction the Adam was responsible for, at that early stage of the story. I am inclined to want to uplift the positive role of the woman, without demonazing the man. Otherwise we just replace one set of demonization with another. How does that help? Popular culture does a lot do that these days. Let's not contribute to it.
For Mother’s Day, and also for Mothers’ Day: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-9-2026?r=5sbdzm&utm_medium=ios