What does "eating" represent in Gan Eden?
Gur Aryeh (to 1:21): "Eating" is what sustains or fills what is lacking; in Gan Eden this means in the spiritual sense. Refer to 1:21:2.3:2* . Maharal explains 1 that through eating, a person attains the benefits (or harm) that is contained within the food - in this case even life or death itself.
Chidushei Agados, Vol. 3, p. 104-105, to Bava Basra 74b.
"Vay'tzav Hashem Elokim ... ". What did the command incorporate?
Sanhedrin 56b: It incorporated the Sheva Mitzvos 1 B'nei Noach: "Va'Yetzav" - Dinim; "Hashem" - Birchas Hashem; "Elokim" - Avodah-Zarah; "al ha'Adam" - Shefichus Damim; "Leimor" - Giluy Arayos; "mi'Kol Eitz ha'Gan" - Gezel; "Achol Tocheil" - Eiver min ha'Chai. 2
He was commanded on the one hand, to eat from all the trees in the Garden, on the other, not to eat from the Eitz ha'Da'as.
Adam was commanded to eat from all other trees, including the Tree of Life. [Surely], he ate from it. How was death decreed upon him?
Riva #1, Moshav Zekenim (to 3:22): Perhaps the tree helps only one who already ate from Etz ha'Da'as, like some medicines are only effective on a person who is already sick. 1
Riva #2: Perhaps he did not eat from the Tree of Life, for he was in Gan Eden only a short time.
Riva #3: Perhaps he did not eat from the Tree of Life, for before eating from Etz ha'Da'as, he did not know to distinguish it from the other trees.
Rosh (to Bereishis 3:6): Hashem said that now, if he will eat from the Tree of Life, he will live forever, for it will remedy the poison of Etz ha'Da'as, and he will not eat from Etz ha'Da'as again.
