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Student Questions
The Difference Between Wicked Evil and Bad
In Israel, the term "Rasha" refers to wickedness or evil, but it's important to clarify its meaning. In Hebrew, Rasha (or wicked) represents the will to receive for oneself, being self-centered or egocentric. This is the core of what is considered bad or wicked.
While the word "evil" in English often implies malicious intent or harmful actions, in this context, it doesn’t necessarily involve deliberate harm. Rather, the mere act of being focused solely on oneself can cause harm by creating division and separation, even unintentionally. This affects not only relationships with others but also with the Creator.
In the spiritual work, one may discover the harm caused by this selfish focus. However, the spectrum of wickedness varies, from unconscious selfishness to intentionally using what one learns to harm others or disconnect them from their spiritual roots. Generally, the focus is on wickedness or selfishness, rather than the more specific and extreme concept of evil.