Abstract:
This article examines and compares the views of two prominent thinkers, Mani and Isaac Luria, regarding the problem of evil. **Mani, the founder of Manichaeism, saw evil as resulting from the struggle between light and darkness, where the defeat of light by darkness leads to the emergence of evil. In his view, salvation from evil requires human effort in strengthening the light and combating the forces of darkness.
In contrast, Isaac Luria, in the 16th century, developed a theory based on the breaking of the vessels and Tikkun (repair). He believed that the world was thrown into instability after an initial cosmic catastrophe. Human beings, in Luria's view, must engage in spiritual and ethical actions to restore and repair the world.
This article analyzes the similarities and differences between these two perspectives, focusing on how they interpret the issue of evil and the solutions they propose. Ultimately, the article concludes that although both systems seek to address and eliminate evil, their spiritual and philosophical approaches differ significantly due to the distinct historical and cultural contexts in which each thinker emerged. The teachings of these two thinkers can serve as valuable sources of inspiration for addressing contemporary challenges. Their ideas offer frameworks for engaging with ethical and spiritual issues, providing ways to approach social, personal, and environmental concerns with greater depth and understanding.