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SUPPLEMENT 3
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633 SUPPLEMENT 3 [Midrashic Miscellany: The Inclination to Good and the Inclination to Evil] 1. Why dost Thou show favor to Israel, as indicated by the verse That which is a statute for Israel is an ordinance for the God of Jacob (Ps. 81:4)? God replied: I show them favor out of consideration for the merit of their Fathers. 2. Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king (Eccles. 4:13). R. Nathan said: The words A poor and wise child stand for the Inclination to good.1 And why is the Inclination to good called child? Because the Inclination to good, [in contrast to the Inclination to evil, does not come into being until the children of men reach the age of thirteen, and only then] begins to guide them in the right path. Why is it called poor? Because too few people pay attention to it. Why is it called wise? Because it wisely guides a man from the age of thirteen on. The words an old and foolish king stand for the Inclination to evil. Why is it called old? Because it is part of a man from the time he is expelled from his mother’s womb to the time he is hoary-headed, as is said “For the disposition of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. 8:21)—that is, from the time he is expelled from his mother’s womb.2 1. Margin reads: “from the age of thirteen on. And why is it called poor? Because not all people pay attention to it. And why is it called wise? Because it wisely guides men in the right path.” 2. Play on ne‘uraw, “his youth,” and nine‘ar, “expelled.” The following attempts to reproduce the play on words in the original: “For the disposition of your heart is evil from your youth” (Gen. 8:21)—that is, from the time you thrust yourself from your mother’s womb.” 634 PESIKTA DE-RAB KAHANA And why is the Inclination to evil called foolish? Because it directs men into the path of folly. Like the very king of those who lie in ambush, it waits to ensnare men. As Scripture says, Out of the bushes3 he comes forth to rule (Eccles. 4:14). The verse concludes, however, with reassurance : Behold! In his very kingdom, the poor is brought forth (ibid.)— that is, the Inclination to good is brought forth in the very kingdom of the Inclination to evil. The Inclination to evil, as the Sages tell us, is thirteen years older than the Inclination to good. Since a man’s Inclination to evil is born as he leaves his mother’s womb, it keeps growing even as he grows. Accordingly, if he proceeds to violate the Sabbath [before he has reached the age of thirteen], there is nothing to stay his hand. And if he proceeds to commit an act of unchastity [before the age of thirteen], there is nothing to stay his hand. Only when a man reaches the age of thirteen is the Inclination to good born within him. Then, if he would profane the Sabbath, it says to him, “Wretch! Scripture declares, Everyone that profaneth it, shall surely be put to death” (Exod. 31:14). If he would take a life, it says to him, “Scripture declares Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Gen. 9:6). When a man, his imagination heated, proceeds to commit an act of unchastity, all the parts of his body obey him. But when he sets out to fulfill a religious obligation, all the parts of his body protest from deep within him because the Inclination to evil in his innermost being is king over the two hundred and forty-eight parts that make up a man; the Inclination to good, however, may be likened to a king who is shut up in a prison, as is said For out of prison he comes forth to rule (Eccles. 4:14), that is, the Inclination to good [finally comes out in a man and rules his conduct]. Another comment: The words For out of prison he came forth to rule apply to Joseph, of whom it is said “Then Pharaoh sent and called 3. The word surim, “prison,” is read as though spelled sirim, “bushes.” [54.165.122.173] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 21:42 GMT) SUPPLEMENT 3 635 Joseph” (Gen. 41...