199 Torah Book & Portion, Book of Genesis, Bereishit (Genesis 1:1-6:8), Source Book Keys, BANAL GENESIS | 2:7 formed — GEN233 Deep in rabbinic psychology, there is the ... GEN233 Deep in rabbinic psychology, there is the idea that humanity was created with a yetser tov (good impulse) and a yetser ha-ra (evil impulse). “And God formed (Heb., va-yiitser) the human being from the dust of the earth” [this verse] – with two impulses, a good impulse and the evil impulse. Bereshit Rabba 14:4; shortened form in Talmud, Berakhot 61a] COMMENT: The original biblical Hebrew text spells the word for “formed” with two letters yod, implying some sort of double creation. The midrash develops this very elaborately; only the interpretation relevant to yetser tov and yetser ha-ra is cited here. BANAL 188-9 Share Print Source KeyBANALVerse2:7Keyword(s)formedSource Page(s)(See end of excerpt) Switch article GENESIS | 2:7 formed — GEN234 It is basic to Jewish belief that man has ... Previous Article GENESIS | 2:7 formed — GEN235 The Garden of Eden Story in the Book of Ge... Next Article