Chapter 2: Inclinations
There was but one matter left before the completion of the majestic work called into existence by the mere "let there be."1 The Divine was surrounded by the Holy Chayyot, the Ophanim, the Er'elim, the Hashmallim, and the rest of the heavenly court.2 As part of that heavenly court, I did my part.
The Divine said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, and all the creeping things that creep on earth."3
The Divine then said, "Let there be a creature not only the product of earth, but also gifted with heavenly, spiritual elements, which shall bestow on him reason, intellect, and understanding." A celestial messenger of truth approached the Divine and expressed concern about such creature being inclined to lie and treading truth under his feet. Next, a celestial messenger of peace approached the Divine and expressed concern about such creature being inclined towards strife and contention and bringing about war and destruction in the pursuit of gain and conquest.4
I was compelled to approach the Divine to express charity, but now also part of my purpose.
"Sovereign of the universe," I said, "You alone have created the darkness and then the light! You alone have created calamity and then peace for the dark matter! You alone have created good and evil!"5
The heavenly court was amazed.
I continued, "You alone have created the tree of knowledge of good and bad, among the trees of every kind, yet saw that it was good! You alone have created the Leviathan, among the great sea monsters, yet saw that it was good! You alone have created the Behemoth, among the wild beasts of every kind, yet saw that it was good! You alone have created the first Serpent, the shrewdest of all the wild beasts but with all its imaginations being inclined towards one direction all the time! Still, You saw that it was good!"
The heavenly court remained silent.
I asked, "Indeed, why should this creature not have inclinations towards evil, just as these celestial messengers have warned?"
Voices from the heavenly court shot back, "So that you may now become the Satan at his expense: To tempt him as the personification of his inclinations towards evil?"
I replied, "I did not say that the inclinations of this creature should be towards evil only. After all, he is to be created in our likeness, and thus he should have inclinations towards good, also. He should have the potential to be a noble creature striving to imitate the Divine attributes by his actions. He should have the potential to perform his great mission: approaching the humble hut, seeking out those who are distressed and wretched to comfort them, drying the tears of the afflicted and despondent, raising up them that are bowed down in spirit, reaching his helping hand to those who are in need of help, speaking peace to the heart of the widow, giving shelter to the fatherless, and many more good deeds."6
The Seraphim of the heavenly court turned away from him and declared, "Holy, holy, holy! The Eternal of Hosts! The Divine presence fills all the worlds!"7
I cautioned, "Potential is only potential, however. Set before this creature, this very day, life and prosperity, death and adversity."8
The Divine reasoned, "So that this creature may choose life? This shall be very good! Very well, you who are the Satan, this human shall be created in the Divine image, but because of all his inclinations, he must be mortal. Not only shall you personify his inclinations towards evil, but you shall be his celestial accuser before this heavenly court, and be the celestial agent of his material death!"
I nodded, now full of purpose.
Thus did the Divine create the human in the Divine image. In that Divine image did the Divine create the human, and male and female did the Divine create them.9
The Divine saw all that was created, and found it very good. From this final stage of creation did emerge another evening, and then another morning.10
Footnotes
1 Genesis Rabbah.
2 Mishneh Torah, Book 1, 2:7.
3 Genesis 1:26.
4 Genesis Rabbah.
5 Isaiah 45:7.
6 Genesis Rabbah.
7 Isaiah 6:3.
8 Deuteronomy 30:15.
9 Genesis 1:27.
10 Genesis 1:31.