Midrash: Derech Eretz (culture) preceded the Torah by 26 generations. As it says “לשמור דרך עץ חיים”.
דרך refers to דרך ארץ (culture) – עץ חיים refers to תורה. First דרך ארץ and then תורה.
The fig leaf and apron are the beginning of culture. They represent culture that is subordinated to morality.
There is intrinsic value to culture as the Mishna in Avos states (3:17): אם אין דרך ארץ אין תורה
But only culture that is moral has value and will contribue to man’s returning to God, as the same Mishna states: אם אין תורה אין דרך ארץ
If a culture does not lead to Torah but seeks to take its place, that culture doesn’t lead to the tree of life but is the way to degeneration.
Beraishis 3:24
page 121 (in the new Hirsch Chumash)
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