What does Judaism say about the origin of evil?
Many Jews believe that evil originates from the first sinAct of rebellion or disobedience against the known will of God in Judaism, Christianity or Islam. of Adam and EveThe first human beings according to Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions.. The serpentA large snake that symbolises Satan in the Bible. tempted Eve to eat from the Tree of KnowledgeA tree in the garden of Eden that Adam and Eve ate from despite being forbidden by God. against God’s wishes. Evil then became a part of them and they no longer needed an external temptation to sin. Humans suffered because they were disobedient and so became separated from God.
Some Jews believe that SatanName for the devil. is not a separate being. For them, Satan is a tendency existing in every human being which tempts them to do wrong.
The belief is that people should accept both good and bad in their lives, as both are God-given and therefore have a purpose.
A person is obligated to bless upon the bad just as he blesses upon the good. As it says, ‘And you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart and all your soul and with all that you have.’
Although God has given humans free willThe ability to make choices (particularly moral choices) voluntarily and independently. The belief that nothing is predetermined., Judaism teaches that they will be punished for committing evil with death and destruction. However, they will be rewarded for resisting temptation with protection and prosperity.
See! Today I have set before you [a free choice] between life and good [on one side] and death and evil [on the other]...