יחזקאל, פרק ל״ו, פסוק כ״ו

A profound prophetic promise envisions a future where human nature undergoes a deep spiritual transformation. Inner stubbornness will fade, replaced by a complete and natural readiness to embrace goodness.

The primary approach among commentators is that the promise of a renewed inner self represents the creation of a fresh, positive inclination. This is an honest core that naturally listens to God's commandments. Accompanying this transformation is a renewed spirit, which represents human will and intention [מצודת ציון]. There is a distinct relationship between these two internal forces. The spirit acts as the source, drawing up thoughts and ideas, while the heart serves as the ruler, making the final decisions and turning desires into actions. In the future, both the initial thoughts and the final choices will lean entirely toward the good [מלבי״ם], driven by a deep readiness to accept God's words with love [רד״ק].

To make this transformation possible, the old, hardened nature must be completely uprooted and removed [מצודת ציון]. This rigid core symbolizes the evil inclination, which is a strong, hard, and wicked state of being [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. It is completely closed off to moral guidance and correction, much like the impossibility of easily engraving words into solid stone [מלבי״ם]. In its place, humanity will receive a soft, submissive, and feeling nature [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This sensitive core will easily embrace the awe and love of God, willingly following the guidance of the intellect [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

The promise to eliminate the evil inclination raises a deep philosophical question regarding the future of human free will. One perspective explains that free will is not actually canceled. Instead, God will perform miracles so massive and visible that people will naturally be filled with awe. The pull toward physical desires will simply fade away on its own, returning humanity to the state of spiritual perfection that existed before the first sin [אברבנאל]. Another viewpoint agrees that physical desires will disappear entirely, but suggests that a different, highly spiritual danger will remain. In this future reality, the sensitive new nature means people might deeply crave to ascend and grasp high divine light before they are truly ready. This risk is similar to the missteps attributed to angels, where the intense desire for closeness and perfection outpaces the intellect's readiness to handle such profound spiritual heights [אהבת יהונתן].