When Evil Turns Into Good

When Evil Turns Into Good

"In the future, all evil will be turned into good."
– Talmud, Yoma 86b

"Even the lowest creature has its purpose, and the Almighty leads the world toward its rectification."
– Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

When Adam and Chava (Eve) tasted the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, the world's harmony was disrupted. This led to animals, once living in peace and harmony, dividing into predators and prey. The mouse became one of the symbols of this disturbed order.

The Curse of the Mouse
But why was the mouse specifically cursed? According to one tradition, when animals still coexisted peacefully in the Garden of Eden, the mouse was the first to utter Lashon Hara — malicious speech. It began to complain about the cat, calling it too independent and proud: "He does what he wants, goes where he wants. He needs to be put in his place." Hearing these words, Adam, who possessed special powers as he was created personally by the Almighty, cursed the mouse. He said that from now on, it would always have to hide, live in fear of enemies, and wander the world. This curse became the mouse's fate: it was doomed to eternal flight and suffering.

The Mouse: From Pest to Savior
For centuries, the mouse was considered a symbol of evil and destruction. It was a carrier of the plague, destroyed crops, gnawed through granaries and homes. In Jewish tradition, a mouse could render flour in a bakery non-kosher. Therefore, Jewish bakeries in Europe always kept cats to protect against rodents. The mouse symbolized chaos and danger, and its appearance brought trouble.

But about 150 years ago, the situation began to change. In 1902, mice were first used in scientific experiments. It was the mouse that became the basis for medical research, leading to the discovery of life-saving medicines. These drugs saved millions, if not billions, of lives. Thus, the mouse transformed from a source of disease into a means of salvation.

Atonement Through Suffering
Judaism teaches that every creature has its role and purpose. Despite the mouse bringing suffering to people for centuries, its salvation during the Flood through Noah's Ark shows that the Almighty saw potential for its rectification. Even when humanity perished for its sins, including the descendants of Cain, the mouse was preserved. This demonstrates that it had a chance for redemption, which eventually manifested.

Today, we see how the mouse, once feared and hated, has become a symbol of rectification and scientific progress. Its role in research has become indispensable for medical advancement, saving millions of lives.

Signs of Coming Redemption
When evil turns into good, we see how the world gradually moves toward rectification. The Lubavitcher Rebbe once said that our generation will witness the coming of Moshiach. Perhaps the story of the mouse is one of the signs of this global transformation.

In Judaism, the Ten Commandments are divided into five physical ("Do not kill," "Do not steal," "Do not commit adultery") and five spiritual ("Remember the Sabbath day," "Do not take the name of the Lord in vain"). This teaches us to elevate the physical to a spiritual level. The mouse, being a symbol of physical evil, through suffering and its benefit to science, becomes an example of this rectification.

The Animal Soul and Spiritual Redemption
Animals have a soul called Nefesh, while humans have two souls: Nefesh (the animal soul) and Neshama (the higher spiritual soul). Interestingly, cats often appear near synagogues during prayer. Some religious people have noticed that cats approach as if drawn by a spiritual presence. Perhaps they sense something that humans do not always notice.

Restoring Harmony
When Moshiach comes, even the lowest creatures will find peace and harmony. The lion, lamb, and wolf will peacefully eat from the same dish, symbolizing the complete reconciliation of predators and prey. The lion and wolf, as predators, will stop hunting the lamb, and all will coexist in harmony, as it was in the Garden of Eden.

A Sign of the Coming Era
The mouse, which for centuries symbolized destruction and suffering, is now used for the benefit of humanity. This indicates that the world is moving toward its rectification when evil will be transformed into good. Perhaps we are witnessing one of the signs that the generation we live in will indeed see the coming of Moshiach.