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Wisdom of r/religion @reddit-religion.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

This is actually an interesting question. Why does the text say Adam and Eve's eyes were opened to their nakedness only after they both ate? Why didn't Eve's eyes open when she ate, then Adam's eyes open after, when he ate? Fortunately, the RaDaK (R. David Kimhi, 1160-1235) has a logical answer!

u/lllustrious_Buy_1234

A question about Genesis: Who was the first human to actually "know" the forbidden truth?

I was rereading the Book of Genesis, and something caught my attention that I don't see discussed often.

According to the narrative, Eve is the first human who actively moves toward the forbidden knowledge.

She's the one who listens, evaluates, looks at the tree, and eats. Adam only follows afterward.

However, the actual moment of "moral awareness" - the opening of their eyes and recognizing good/evil - doesn't happen until both of them eat. The text says their eyes were opened together, not separately.

Radak's commentary from Sefaria:

The Torah continues with "they knew," and not with "they saw." They "saw" the same objects they had seen previously. However, after having eaten from the fruit of the tree of knowledge they experienced a biological urge to engage in sexual relations with one another. Adam's organ stiffened as a result of this feeling of desire. This became a source of shame for them as it meant that one his organs was out of his control. The punishment in this instance fitted the crime. They had removed themselves from the control of their Creator by ignoring His instructions. As a result, an organ of theirs had removed itself from its owner's control.

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