A study in the Tanakh - to my fellow Jewish people - about the "serpent" in the Garden of Eden?

Question

I find it amazing that non-Jews [namely the so-called "followers" of a Jewish man - that being Yehoshua (Jesus)] think or believe that the serpent in the garden of Eden was the devil / satan!!! They say that they "believe" in the bible to be the "word of HaShem." Yet, they do NOT believe it if they believe in this "urban legend." For the holy torah says that the serpent was more crafty/subtle than any of the "animals of the field."

Again, they do not even accept HaShem's own words. For HaShem said, "cursed art thou from among all cattle, and from among all beasts of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go."

Thus, we can clearly see that the serpent was a serpent, an animal and not satan. Remember, Adam was commanded to rule the animals, not tame them as if they couldn't understand. For it wasn't until Babel that all flesh couldn't commune with each other. Thus, the serpent and the woman "literally" had a conversation.

That's taking the Torah at its "literal" word!!

שָׁלוֹם

Answer 1

The myth is a coming to self-realization story: Adam the physical human becoming aware of Eve his soul. Aeons ago humans lived much closer to nature than we can imagine now and, as cultures who still live close to nature tell us they can, humans could more closely communicate with animals, as they were just above them in nature. Then through deeper pondering within the human's own sometimes questionable-sometimes reliable wisdom, the snake which renews itself again and again in shedding its old self, humans realized that there is more to them than their physical nature. That was their eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They became aware of another nature and that their choices had consequences. They become painfully aware of their own weaknesses and hardships and could ponder the "why" of it. They no longer lived the limited lives of the animal which lives only for its physical needs, and began to develop the capacity to live for their reality, their spiritual nature. I love this beautiful myth and often ponder and marvel at its incredible descriptive and explanatory powers.

Answer 2

If you're going to try and represent jewish belief- at least get it right!

According to Midrash Rabbah Bereishis the serpent was a physical manifestation of the yetzaer hara, since outside such a form it had no power in the Garden of Eden. It was not a snake as in a reptilian creature- but the physical manifestation of Eve's yetzer harah. And Babel was communication between HUMANS- before that humans could NOT communicate with animals- in fact, the lack of language ability is seen as a major differntiator between man and animal by the Rabbis.

Answer 3

It also says that the serpent walked on legs. Satan speaking temptation to Eve playing on her very human instincts makes a lot more sense than the talking reptile theory. But whatever works for you. Also ruling the animals and having dominion over them does not require the ability to chat with the animals. It just means having better wits and weapons, especially for a primitive hunter-gatherer.
For what it's worth, Satan is not just a creature of the New Testament, he makes trouble for Job and for Joshua the Priest in Isaiah.

Answer 4

Rev.12:9; Dragon and serpent, Satan and Devil.
2Cor.4:3,4; 11:14; 1Pet.5:8;
Matt.4:1-11;
Eze.28:13-15; Isa.14:12-14;
Eden to Rev.20:1-6; No Satan 1000 years. Rev.20:7-10; Heb.2:9,14, 16;

Answer 5

My answer would be way too long. Check out instead my Yahoo group EXTRATERRESTRIALS AND SX. A detailed answer is in "Chapter 3"

Answer 6

dolphins are more crafty than serpents... not sure why they were not included