Genesis Rabbah on Theodicy

8:5. R. Simeon taught: At the time when the Holy One was about to create the first human, the ministering angels formed factions and parties [of divided opinions concerning humankind’s creation]. Some argued, “Let him be created,” while others countered, “Do not let him be created,” as it is written: Lovingkindness and truth meet; righteousness and peace kiss [nashaqu, from the root n.sh.q,. “kiss” or “armed for battle”; here the midrash pursues the second, hostile meaning] (Psalm 85:11). Lovingkindness argued, “Let him be created, for he will bestow lovingkindness.” But Truth countered, “Do not let him be created, for his entirety is lies.” Righteousness argued, “Let him be created, because he will perform acts of righteousness.” But Peace countered, “Do not let him be created, for he will be entirely quarrelsome.” What did the Holy One do? He seized Truth and cast her to the earth. The ministering angels said before the Holy One, “Master of the universe, why do You disgrace your chief angel [i.e., the angel Truth]?” Let Truth arise from the earth, as it is written [in the very next verse]: Let Truth spring up from the earth (Psalm 85:12). [ . . . ]

R. Huna, the elder of Sepphoris, taught: As the ministering angels were deliberating with each other—keeping each other engaged—the Holy One created him [Adam]. He said to them, “What’s the use? Humanity [Heb., ’adam] has already been created.” [ . . . ]

9:7. R. Naḥman in the name of R. Samuel: Behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31)—this [refers to] the good impulse. And behold, it was very good, this refers to the evil impulse. Can the evil impulse really be very good?! [Yes, for] were it not for the evil impulse, a man would not build a house, marry a woman, nor bear children. And so Solomon used to say: [I have also seen that all toil and skillful work,] that it is [the product] of envy of one’s neighbor (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

8. R. Huna said: Behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31). This [refers to] the principle of good. And behold, it was very good, [this refers to] the principle [of correction by] chastisement. Is it really so that the principle [of correction by] chastisement is very good?! It is indeed the case, for through it, [God’s] creations enter the life of the world to come. And so Solomon teaches: The way of life is moral reproofs (Proverbs 6:23). Say now, go out and see which path brings humanity to the life of the world to come. Surely you will say it is the principle [of correction by] chastisement.

9. R. Zeira said: Behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31)—this [refers to] the garden of Eden. And behold, it was very good—this [refers to] hell [Gehenna]. Is it really so that hell [Gehenna] is very good?! This can be compared to a king who had an orchard, into which he brought laborers, and he built a treasury by its entrance. He then said, “Everyone who makes himself fit through labor in the orchard shall enter the treasury. But anyone who does not make himself fit through labor in the orchard will not enter into the treasury.” So too, anyone who treasures the commandments and good deeds—behold, there is the garden of Eden. But for anyone who does not treasure the commandments and good deeds—behold, there is hell [Gehenna].

Translated byAaron Samuels.