Faith
Torah as an Elixir
Question
The well-known statement, I created the evil inclination and I created Torah as its antidote - why is it necessary to say that Torah depends on the evil inclination? It seems to carry more of a connotation that diminishes the value of Torah, at least apparently. Why not say, I created Torah and I created the evil inclination, which can make it difficult for you? I understand that there is also probably an explanation that the statement comes out positively and not negatively, but still I am sure it could have been phrased positively so that Torah would receive the full weight of meaning in the statement.
Answer
With Hashems help.
Hello and blessings,
The Sages said: I created the evil inclination, and I created Torah as its antidote. If you engage in Torah, you are not handed over to its power, as it is said: If you do well, there is uplift; and if you do not engage in Torah, you are handed over to its power, as it is said: Sin crouches at the door. Not only that, but its entire business is with you, as it is said: And to you shall be its desire (Kiddushin 30b).
The Sages formulated this statement, so it is certainly the best wording - only that we, being small, may or may not merit to understand it. In my limited view, the statement achieves the purpose of creation: Hashems desire to do good.
The purpose of the mitzvot is to refine the souls and bring them close to their Creator, while the evil inclination is intended to cause the souls to sin and distance them from their Creator. The Sages said that everything is in the hands of Heaven except for fear of Heaven, meaning the choice whether to be righteous or wicked: whether to follow the path of Torah and mitzvot, or the opposite, Heaven forbid. This is how the Torah describes that choice:
See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse. The blessing, if you heed the commandments of Hashem your G-d, which I command you today. And the curse, if you do not heed the commandments of Hashem your G-d, and you turn aside from the path that I command you today.
Therefore, I created for him Torah as an antidote tells us that through Torah we will merit the image of a human being, we will be able to overcome our evil inclinations, and thus we will be able to connect in wholeness to the Holy One, blessed be He, through Torah and mitzvot. The restraint of the evil inclination is what will make us righteous, and will draw us away from the other side.
The evil inclination (selfishness) is what prevents closeness to G-d. The purpose of the soul is to overcome evil in order to attain closeness to Him, may He be blessed. The word antidote describes a persons repair, the restraint of the evil inclination, and directing ones inclinations to the service of the Creator.
With blessings,
Daniel Bels
