In Judaism, the Yetzer Hara (the “evil inclination”) is the innate human drive toward selfishness, base desires, and ego. Rather than pure malice, it is a neutral, raw passion for survival and pleasure that, left unguided, leads to sin. The Torah provides the Torah (divine law) and the Yetzer Hatov (the good inclination) to channel these drives for holy purposes.
Key Concepts in Jewish Thought
- Biblical Roots: The phrase originates in the book of Genesis, noting that the “inclination of the heart of man is evil from his youth”. In Genesis 2:7, the word for God “forming” man (vayitzer) is written with two letters yud, which the Talmud interprets as God forming humanity with both a good and an evil inclination.
- The Engine of Progress: According to the Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 9:7), without the Yetzer Hara, humanity would lack the drive to build homes, marry, or engage in business. It is the force of individual desire that must be harnessed, not destroyed.
- Divine Remedy: Rabbinic tradition considers the study of Torah and the fulfillment of mitzvot (commandments) to be the ultimate spiritual antidote. The light of Torah instruction reframes and elevates the primitive desires of the Yetzer Hara.
How to Overcome It
- The Spiritual Trainer: The yetzer hara can be viewed as your spiritual sparring partner. By actively choosing to make moral decisions over self-indulgence, humans exercise free will and grow.
- Study and Practice: Engaging in daily Torah study and integrating sacred texts into your daily life builds the mental framework needed to redirect primal passions toward meaningful connections and ethical living
In the Babylonian Talmud (Sukkah 52a), the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) is cited as having seven names. These names, taught by Rabbi Avira (or R. Yehoshua ben Levi), illustrate the different ways this inclination operates and distances a person from goodness.
The seven names, along with the corresponding biblical figures who used them, include:
- Ra (Evil / Bad) – Named by God: “For the inclination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” (Genesis 8:21)
- Arel (Uncircumcised) – Named by Moses: “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart.” (Deuteronomy 10:16)
- Tameh (Impure / Unclean) – Named by King David: “Create in me a pure heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:12) implying the opposite is impure.
- Soneh (Hater / Enemy) – Named by King Solomon: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat.” (Proverbs 25:21) interpreted as referring to the Yetzer Hara.
- Mikhshol (Stumbling Block) – Named by the Prophet Isaiah: “Take up the stumbling block out of the way of My people.” (Isaiah 57:14)
- Even (Stone) – Named by the Prophet Ezekiel: “And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
- Tzfoni (Hidden / Northern One) – Named by the Prophet Joel: “And I will remove far off from you the northern one.” (Joel 2:20) referring to the hidden evil that comes from the north