When seeking to define what distinguishes man from animals, they point to man's intellectual capacity, the power of speech, etc. But the main characteristic that distinguishes man from other animals is free choice.
All living creatures on earth are actually programmed. They behave and act according to the traits that have been imprinted on them and according to the reflexes built into them.
The programming of animals also allows them to learn and add components to the basic programming according to which they were created. Thus, the 'software' that operates them acquires additional capabilities, such as identifying dangers, discovering food sources, and so on. But their behavior will always be dictated by their basic traits.
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Man is fundamentally different from all other creatures in the ability to choose given to him. He is the only creature whose behavior is not programmed but depends on his choice and decision. He too has natural inclinations and built-in reflexes, but he can decide whether to obey them or act contrary to them.
This decision is not programmed, but results from the person's free choice.
Basis for reward and punishment
From the ability to choose freely comes the concept of reward and punishment, which is fundamental to human existence. An animal does not deserve to be rewarded for 'good' behavior, and there is no reason to punish it for 'bad' behavior. In fact, there are no such concepts of good and evil in its world.
If the rabbit dropped by to visit the vegetable garden and left destruction behind, she did not do anything wrong. That is how the Creator created her.
Only man, being endowed with the ability to choose, is required to choose between good and evil. When he passes by a neighbor's fruit-bearing tree, natural instinct pushes him to reach out and pluck a juicy fruit. This is where the ability to choose comes into play – to respond to this instinct and steal, or to overcome it and refrain from stealing? The first decision will be bad, the second – good.
Since things depend on a person's choice, he is entitled to a reward for a good choice and a punishment for a bad choice. He was given the ability to distinguish between good and evil and to choose good. Therefore, he deserves a reward if he does so, and conversely, he will be punished if he decides to choose evil.
What voice to hear?
This uniqueness of man is expressed in the way he was created, as the Torah tells us in Genesis. All other creatures were created in one act of creation, while man was created in two stages – first his body was formed "from the dust of the ground", and then a soul was put into him – "and he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life".
This is the polarity that exists in man – he has a body that can drag him to the lowest places, but also a divine soul that has the power to elevate him to the highest peaks of holiness, purity, and goodness. Between these two poles there is a constant struggle, and man chooses which inner voice to listen to.
Therefore, man will not find his satisfaction by being drawn to natural inclinations and physical needs. He will feel satisfaction and happiness only if he listens to the voice of his soul and chooses to rise above his selfish impulses. Only then will he fulfill the meaning of being a human being, the crown of creation.
