Awakening Balance: Bar/Bat Mitzvah

This source sheet is based on a teaching by Jeffrey Spitzer (Gann Academy, Boston)

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The Aggressive Inclination and Good Inclination [Yetzer HaRa and Yetzer Tov]

“God saw all that God had made, and found it very good. And there was morning, and there was evening, the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31). Nahman said in Rabbi Shmuel’s name: “Very good” describes both the Aggressive Inclination and Good Inclination. Is it possible that the Aggressive Inclination can be “very good”? Without the Aggressive Inclination, one would not build a house, marry, have children, or engage in business.

- Midrash Genesis Rabbah 9:7 (ca. 400 CE, Land of Israel)

The Birth of Good Inclination

The Aggressive Inclination is 13 years older than Good Inclination. While still in the womb, the Aggressive Inclination begins to develop in a person. If a person begins to violate the Sabbath, or commit murder, or goes off to do another sin, nothing stops him/her.

But 13 years later, Good Inclination is born. When s/he violates the Sabbath, it rebukes her/him, “Airhead! Don't you know our tradition says ‘Everyone who violates it will surely be put to death’ (Exodus 31:14)?” If s/he is about to commit murder, it rebukes her/him, “Airhead! Don't you know it says ‘Whoever sheds a human’s blood, by humankind will his blood be shed’ (Genesis 9:6)?” If s/he is about to engage in a sexual sin, it rebukes her/him, “Airhead! Don't you know it says ‘Both parties of adultery will surely be put to death’ (Leviticus 20:10)?”

- Avot d’Rabbi Natan 16 (c. 800 CE, Babylon)

Good Inclination: A Poor and Wise Child

“It is better to be a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who no longer has the sense to heed warnings.”

- Ecclesiastes 4:13

“A poor and wise child”—this is Good Inclination.

“Poor”—because Good Inclination is less powerful than the Aggressive Inclination.

“Wise”—because it gives a person intelligence to follow the good way.

“Child”—because it is younger than the Aggressive Inclination, entering a person only at age 13.

“An old and foolish king who no longer has the sense to heed warnings”—this is the Aggressive Inclination.

“Old”—because it enters a person at birth. As it is written of Cain: “Sin couches at the door” (Genesis 4:7).

“Foolish”—because it misleads a person to follow the bad way.

“King”—because it has the power to rule over the limbs.

“Who no longer has the sense to heed warnings”—because it has become old and does not accept reproof.

- Rashi (1040-1105, France)

Coming Out of Egypt, Moving Towards Sinai

For the first 13 years of life, one rebels. But in the 14th year, the light of intelligence appears, and one becomes bat/bar mitzvah and subject to the punishment of a human court. Similarly, our sages, of blessed memory, hinted at this when they said, "On the evening of the 14^th of Nissan, we search for hametz [leaven] by the light of a candle" (Mishnah Pesachim 1:1).

- Rabbi Isaac Arama, (1420-1494, Spain)