Close To Torah

A most odd reason for rejoicing indeed. Or was it? Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 9:7) teach us that Hashem was extra happy with His World that He created on the 6th day. Bereishis (1:31): “…it was very good (טוב מאד)”  ’Good-טוב’ refers to man’s possession of the Yetzer Tov, the good inclination. ‘מאד – Very (Good)’ refers to the Yetzer Harah, the evil inclination! Since when is the Evil Inclination a positive advent?

The famous saying, “a wise man’s question, is already half the answer! certainly applies here. But first a story to illustrate the compelling lesson being discussed.

The first time that Rav Shach zt”l came to visit Aish HaTorah, he was in awe to behold the beginning of the mass Ba’al Teshuva movement. Until the 1950’s, it was almost unheard of. Even more impressive to him was that not only had the students given up their previous lifestyles to dedicate themselves to the truth and beauty of Yiddishkeit, but they were also developing themselves into Torah scholars, working on character development, and teaching Torah to others! Rabbi Noach Weinberg zt”l recounted the beautiful words which Rav Shach shared as he spoke to his inspired crowd. He expressed his awe of their development and all that they, a small group, were doing for Klal Yisrael. He wished to encourage them and point out very powerfully how much strength they each had. “If Hitler was able to brutally kill six million Jews, then imagine what one person can build!”

The lesson is clear. Man has unbelievable power. If he uses that power to carry out evil, there is nothing more evil in the world. But if he channels his strengths and vigor to proactively build and create greatness in the world, he will have much success.

Man is a ball of energy and creativity. Time and again we have seen the power of one person revolutionize and change the entire world. Not everyone’s purpose in life is to find a cure for cancer, lead others to war or start the largest company in the world. Some make their impact in their homes, communities or locality. Man’s purpose, though, is to know that he has the power and ability to do great things!

The lesson is best expressed by Chazal themselves. Midrash Tehillim (9:1) asks, how can one call the Evil Inclination, ‘very good’? This was our exact problem. The answer given is, “without the Yetzer Harah, no one would get married or have children or build anything!” This is the expression of the depth that we have come to understand. The Yetzer Harah provides the gusto and passion, while the Yetzer Tov provides the direction to point that energy. Yerushalmi (Berachos 67b) says: Avraham Aveinu turned his Yetzer Harah into good! The depth here is that precisely by means of the passionate and powerful Yetzer Harah, one can focus that liveliness into spiritual and productive pursuits.

This approach answers two other strange lessons which Chazal learned from the words ‘very good’: ‘ טוב- Good’ is Olam HaZeh, this world. ‘מאד – Very (Good)’ is Olam Habah, the World to Come. Also: ‘מאד – Very (Good)’ comprises the same letters as ‘אדם, man’!

Man possesses ‘מאד – Extreme Capabilities’. Naturally and unchecked, it is ‘מאד – Extreme Evil’. There is great danger. But when the strength, passion and vigor are harnessed for Godly pursuits, then it builds the greatest rewards of satisfaction in this world and מאד – the Very Best portion in the World to Come!

Indeed, let us rejoice together with Hashem for this most amazing feat!

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Categories: Parshas Bereishis Tags: Jewish Vision/ Building, Yetzer HaRa, Yetzer HaTov