The Good in the Bad Inclination

Genesis Rabbah 9:7

3rd–5th Century

Naḥman [taught] in the name of R. Samuel: Behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31). This refers to the good inclination. And behold it was very good. This refers to the evil inclination. And is the evil inclination really very good?! Rather, were it not for the evil inclination, a man would not build a house or marry a wife, and he would not have children. And so Solomon says, [All toil and skillful production are (the result of)] jealousy between man and his fellow (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

Translated by Sheila Keiter.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

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This striking passage begins with the basic rabbinic idea that people have two inclinations—one good and one bad—but concludes that the bad inclination is “very good.” Why? The inclination toward evil, it seems, is a motivating factor for economic productivity, marriage, and procreation.

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