Yetzer Hara and Yetzer HaTov
Historical - This post describes the philosophical concepts of the evil and good inclinations, and translates them into Ars Magica mechanics.
The yetzer hara and the yetzer hatov are the two inclinations or desires that exist in all people, according to Jewish thought. The yetzer hara is the inclination towards evil, transgressing the laws of the Torah, while the yetzer hatov is the inclination towards good and fulfilling the mitzvot. Human beings are unique because they have both the yetzer hara and the intelligence to challenge it. Animals have the evil inclination, but no intelligence to stop themselves from doing wrong. Angels have intelligence, but no evil inclination. Only humans have been given both the capacity for evil and the capacity to overcome that inclination by Hashem.
To a Christian observer the concept of the yetzer hara seems like original sin. This is not really the case. The yetzer hara is a necessary part of creation, and its existence is ultimately good.
The Torah relates “And God saw all that had been made, and found it very good.” The Talmud expounds on this, saying that when Hashem found the created universe to be good, Hashem found both that the yetzer hatov was good, but also that the yetzer hara was good. A sage explains “Were it not for the evil inclination, a man would never build a house, would never marry a wife, would never beget children, and would never engage in commerce.”
In Talmudic legend the rabbis capture the yetzer hara so that it will not trouble the world, but come to realize that this was a mistake. Chickens lay no eggs in Israel because the yetzer hara of procreation does not exist. The sages see this as the warning sign that it is, and decide to wound the yetzer hara and release it back into the world.
Having a powerful yetzer hara is not an indication that you are a bad person. The sages write “Anyone who is greater than another, his evil inclination is greater than his.” A great person has a powerful yetzer hara, but a great person will also work hard to overcome his evil inclination.
The particular areas where a character struggles to combat his yetzer hara are often covered by Personality flaws. But some Jewish individuals have a special relationship to their inclinations in general that can be covered by new virtues and flaws.
New Minor Personality Flaw - Powerful Yetzer HaTov
As Ben Azzai said: “Run to perform even a minor mitzvah.” You have a strong inclination to perform mitzvot. You start with a Personality Trait of Yetzer HaTov +3. Whenever you are confronted with the opportunity to perform a mitzvah in a dangerous situation you make a roll against your Yetzer HaTov score instead of a personality trait such as Brave. On a success you rush into the situation despite the danger. This tends to get you in trouble in social situations as well, and makes it impossible for you to conceal your Judaism from others. On the other hand, you get a +3 bonus to rolls to resist being coerced into transgressing against Jewish Law.
New Minor Personality Flaw - Powerful Yetzer Hara
Hashem has given you the challenge of managing a powerful evil inclination. You easily fall into transgression. In addition you start with a level 2 Reputation with other Jews for being a lax in your observance.
Story Seed - The Missing Yetzer Hara
A local kabalist, Meir ben Yochai, has used his power to bind the yetzer hara of everyone in the vicinity of the covenant. This was done with Merkeva Adjuration Holy Magic, first to summon the embodiment of the yetzer hara and then to bind it into a lead box he has created for this purpose. The Aegis of the Hearth of the covenant protects its inhabitants from this effect, but the covenant becomes aware when the grogs reports that nearby villagers are abstaining from drink, not milking their cows, and even failing to cook food or draw water. This is a potentially catastrophic act and people will soon die of thirst and hunger, since they have no inclination to satisfy those needs. Once the kabalist is located he can likely be easily dealt with by Hermetic Magic, but first the covenant will have to figure out what is going on.