After Man’s sin he remains inherently good.
The only things God cursed were the ground and an animal, which serve as the new stage upon which Man continues to carry on the same mission he had before the sin. Man’s high calling and his ability to reach that goal remain the same.
To this day every human child is born as pure as an angel. This is one of the most basic Jewish concepts.
See page 87, mid-page, beginning with the words “what a disconsolate lie”, for very passionate words written by RSRH written in vehement protest to Christian dogma. He writes that Christianity’s false interpretation of the effects of the original sin presented the mistaken thought that Man is no longer inherently good and must sin, and the only way to return to God and paradise, is for something external to bring Man back.
To this RSRH says yes, it is true that as a result of this sin Man lives in a world which doesn’t flourish as it did before the sin, but the only reason Man has not yet returned to paradise is because he keeps on repeating this same sin, not because the original sin caused irrevocable damage. Man is thrust into the “school of renunciation”, the school where he must learn to sacrifice for a higher good and not give in to his animal instincts. This will ultimately educate Man up to the highest levels, and back to paradise.
Jewish history is filled with examples of people who, through their free willed efforts were able to become very close to God, without the need for any external dead or resurrected intermediary. Avraham, Moshe, Yeshaya, Yirmiyahu and all the prophets attained this level by their pure efforts in fulfilling God’s will.
To this day we begin our prayers with the words הנשמה שנתת בי טהורה היא “the soul that You have given to me is pure”.
The sum total of the Torah is to teach us how to understand and think about God and uplift earthly life up to God, using the moral power that each human being was given.
Beraishis 3:19, Pages 87-88
