CANTOR’S CORNER

Cantor Eyal Bitton shares a few thoughts on prayer and the parasha of the week.

Bereshit

The story of the Garden of Eden is not about humanity’s fall, but about our ascension to moral awareness. Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened after eating the forbidden fruit, giving them the knowledge of good and evil. This was the moment they became truly human, capable of understanding right and wrong. Their expulsion from the Garden was not mere punishment, but a necessary step in the development of their moral identity.

In the Hashkivenu prayer, which we recite during evening services, we ask God to “spread over us the shelter of Your peace.” This request reflects our need for protection as we navigate the challenges of life, now equipped with the knowledge of good and evil. Like Adam and Eve, who were sent out from Eden to face the realities of the world, we ask for God’s guidance as we go forward, striving to act with righteousness and integrity.

We conclude this prayer with a resounding Amen. In doing so, we affirm our responsibility as moral beings, entrusted with the task of making ethical choices in a complex world. The story of Eden is not one of tragedy, but of growth—a blessing disguised as a curse. It reminds us that this is the path we were meant to walk—eyes open, hearts full of conviction. Amen.