Adam haRishon and Eitz Chaim

[Yankel Nosson]

This one is probably poshut, but it stumped me!

Learning the ma'amer "Bila Hamaves Lanetzach" tonight with some "novices" and the discussion turned to the eitz hada'as and the eitz chaim. The Torah states that after eating from the EHD, Adam is prevented from eating from the EC lest he live forever.

The ma'amer states: "The potential for death was generated by the sin of the Tree of Knowledge, for death and the sin of the Tree of Knowledge are interrelated." Death only became a part of Adam Harishon with the sin. In other words, without the sin EHD, he would not have death. So the question was asked: what is the purpose of the Eitz Chaim if Adam is already a being that is created without death?

I have some ideas, but I would greatly appreciate if anyone could bring down some proper sources to resolve this for us.

[chassidus]

Even though Adam was orginally created to live forever, he still had a connection with death--a possibility to die. As we see, through the sin of the Tree of Knowledge he died. This is because Adam's soul was only on the level of Chaya, which is the level of a Tzaddik that has a body (that is, one that disturbes his soul). That is, his Yechidah is enclothed in a garment of physicality, which already creates some sort of separation in his life-force, a spiritual death.
The Eitz Hachayim represents the level of the soul (and of Torah) that is completely pure and separate from all bad. The essence. This is the level of Yechidah and the level of Moshiach.

See the maamar Atem Hadveikim 5686 about the differece between the body and life of people on the level of Adam (or lower) and the level of Moshiach (Techias Hameisim body).
See also the fourth and fifth level of Avodah of the Nefesh HaElokis in Kuntres HaHispaalus (chapter six, page 177-184). And Imrei Binah, chapters 4 and 5 about the upper and lower waters and the Eitz HaChayim and Eitz HaDaas and the connection to physical life.

There are many other related sources, such as the difference between the middle line/yaacov and the side lines/avraham yitzchak. Sources about the Etzem Luz and chayim nitzchiim. The Rebbe also states in a maamar (I can't remember where of hand) that the Rebbeim were completely new souls, not from Adam, rather from the supperior level of Moshiach souls that never were enclothed in a levush, higher even than the avos.

One other interesting, though tangental, point: There was never a decree not to eat from the Eitz HaChayim, it was just guarded. It was always available for the eating, we need only want it bad enough. Now is the time to eat.

[Yankel Nosson]

Thanks, chassidus!

[monkey]

I think it showed us that we always want what we dont have. it is human nature.

Adam already had eternal life with but he had no da'at. Curiosity that killed the cat...

[Yankel Nosson]

My question was not regarding why Adam sinned, on which there is much to learn, but specifically what the Eitz Chayim could give a man who was already not subject to death.

But, regarding your post, monkey:
But our vulnerability to sin is but G-d’s “awesome plot on the sons of man.” G-d created us with the capacity to do wrong only to enable us to uncover “the greater light that comes from darkness"—to enable us to exploit the momentum of our lowest descents to drive our highest achievements. There is much to be achieved through the virtuous development of our positive potential; but nothing compares with the fervor of the repentant sinner, with the passion of one who has confronted his darkest self to recoil in search of light. No man can pursue life with the intensity of one who is fleeing death.

http://www.thethreeweeks.com/insights/5.html

[monkey]

forgive me if I am wreong but just from memory doesnt it say

lest they ate from eitz ha'chaim vehayo kmo alohim?

maybe ha' eitz gives life to lifeless things vehayo kmo alohim - giving life?

maybe I am wrong