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Evil Spirits

Question

Does G-d make use of evil spirits to do bad things?

Answer

Both good and evil are G-d’s creations; see Isaiah 45:7. He can certainly make use of evil spirits, for example to smite the Egyptian firstborn (Ex. 11:23). The “evil spirits” in Judges 9:23 and 1 Sam.15:14 were bad states of mind (anger, depression); G-d created man to be capable of both good and evil (see Gen.6:5 and 8:20). There is a range of Jewish views about evil spirits; Maimonides apparently believed that they are subjective.

Follow-up question

Question

HaShem Echad, He created everything, and everything exists in Him. Hence, did the Almighty also create evil? or does evil is also immanent in Him? (I am almost afraid even to think it, I hope this is not heretical, G forbid).
I don’t mean only “bad people” making wrong decisions. Neither do I mean an “opposing” angel helping us strengthen our will or faith.
I mean evil as an essence, as a destructive bottomless force that when unleashed can give some hints of hell on earth as in the Shoah, or in the Pol Pot killings of thousands of innocent people, let alone children.
Does evil also exists within Him? How can this be? We are also His creations. How can we be expected then to be or do “goodâ€?? “Free willâ€?…but there is also the problem with time. He exists outside or beyond time, and everything has, so to speak, “already happenedâ€? to his Wisdom, so our bad choices, or the results of evil as a force per se, are “alreadyâ€? known to Him. So how can He allow evil to Be? (I’m truly sorry is those are crazy questions, and I thank in advance for an orientation).

Answer

You are asking excellent questions. To answer them, however, would require volumes upon volumes. I will try, therefore, to give you a basic answer, and perhaps references where you can find more information on these issues.
Yes, the prophet Isiah (45:7)states clearly that G-d creates evil. This is a creation of G-d, not an essential part of Him. He created it in order to afford us the opportunity to overcome it and therefore deserve to be rewarded by Him.
We have the ability to overcome evil if we so choose. Mind you, that doesn’t mean it is an easy task, but it is one that we are capable of. G-d never presents us with a challenge that is beyond our ability.
Two books that I would reccomend that deal extensively with these issues are written by Rabbi Moshe Chayim Luzatto. They are “The Way of G-d” and “The Knowing Heart”