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<DIV>10) Many children do seem to have a desire to do good. How can this <BR>be
explained, if they do not yet have a Yetzer Tov?<BR><BR>11) Has anyone noticed
(either in themselves or in someone else) that <BR>this desire to do good either
appears or gets stronger at bar/bas <BR>mitzvah age?<BR><BR>12) Many cartoons
feature scenes in which a character is trying to <BR>make a decision, and
observes the argument between an angel on one <BR>shoulder, and a satan on the
other, trying to influence that <BR>character to do right or to do wrong. If
children do not yet have a <BR>yetzer tov, how can we explain the fact that
children understand this <BR>metaphor and can relate to it?</DIV>
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<DIV>Responses to:</DIV>
<DIV>10) It would be analogous to a cocoon or a flower seed. The cocoon is
a potential butterfly (or whatever insect) and the flower seed is a potential
flower. The child doesn't have a fully developed yetzer tov, but the
potential and bud is there. </DIV>
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<DIV>11) Just as the desire to do good gets stronger at bar/bat mitzvah age, so
too, does the desire to do bad also increases. Hence, the battle is
harder.</DIV>
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<DIV>12) Your question may not apply to many children. I'm sure there are many
children who do not understand this metaphor and cannot relate to it. And
those that do, merely reflects the differences in everyone and the rate of
growth is not the same for everyone. Just as some children at 12 or 13 are
short for their age and others are tall. Also, as explained in my response to
question 10), the assumption that children do not yet have the yetzer tov is
erroneous.</DIV>
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