quote by Carmichael
The narrative is not considered history by Jews but a lesson. Unlike Jehovah's Witnesses that place the story in history and therefore raise a plethora of questions such as you raised, the story's original intention was to teach something about the Mosaic Law necessary for humans.
Interesting point, Carmichael. But it makes you wonder why Jesus seemed to refer to the Adam and Eve story as history, along with the Apostle Paul in some of his writings and who were both Jews. Also, you bring up a good point about how the Torah is not free from legalistic meaning, but I had been wondering about the notion of the legalistic aspect of Jesus' sacrifice with the whole concept of the first man Adam and the last Adam... even though among Christians it is viewed as grace. Although, that's a topic for another discussion.
Also, Carmichael, did you leave something out at the end of your post?