Came across an interesting read .................................. (source www.religionfacts.com may 17th 2004)
A fundamental Jewish belief about human beings is that they are created in the image of God.
This does not mean that people look like God, for God is incorporeal. ( lacking material form or substance, without a body )
The general Rabbinical interpretation of this concept is that humans have the ability to reason.
When Gen 2v7 says ''God formed man''
it uses the Hebrew word vayyitzer (formed)
The Talmud finds special meaning in the unique spelling of the word in this context,
with 2 yods instead of one.
the 2 yods, the rabbi's explain, stand for the 2 impulses found in humans:
the yetzer tov
+
the yetzer ra.
According to this view, the yetzer tov is the moral conscience that reminds a person of Gods law when one considers a specific action or choice.
The yetzer ra is the impulse to satisfy one own needs and desires.
There is nothing intrinsically evil about yetzer ra, as it was created by God and is natural to humankind.
However it can also lead to sin when not kept in check by the yetzer tov.
The idea of human free will is fundamental to Judaism.
The concept of original sin is rejected, and every person has the ability to choose good or evil.