The Rabbis, Gender, and the Yetzer Hara: The Origins and Development of the Evil Inclination

Yetzer hara, commonly translated as the ‘evil inclination,’ is a key concept in rabbinic discourse concerning the human propensity to sin. This paper traces the origins of the concept and its subsequent development in rabbinic literature, in which it is intrinsically entwined with gender. Firstly, only men are considered to possess the self-restraint necessary to subdue the evil inclination. In contrast, rabbinic texts characterize women as lacking the self-restraint necessary to overcome the yetzer hara, particularly in the arena of sexuality. Secondly, rabbinic texts represent Torah study as the antidote to yetzer hara. The male culture of Torah study in late antiquity precluded women from this important tool deemed necessary to master yetzer hara. Additionally, the female form embodies the seductive powers of yetzer hara to lead astray and constitutes a threat to masculine self-restraint. The gendering of relations to yetzer hara has significant implications for gender hierarchy, legitimizing the regulation of women’s social behaviour