Questions tagged [sin]
Relating to the categorization of a sinful act in Jewish Law, the examination of a sin recorded in Jewish texts, or the nature of sin in Jewish thought.
370
questions
1
vote
0
answers
73
views
Methods of avoiding unintentionally wasting seed at night
Hi I heard there are methods of avoiding unintentionally wasting seed at night like sleeping on your side specifically that it has to be uncomfortable so your body doesn't sin in the night and then ...
- 151
-1
votes
1
answer
133
views
Confused about the proper punishment for lesbianism since num. '40' is often symbolic & the use of the word "brother" (אָחִ֖יךָ) for a woman is odd?
According to Rambam, in H. Issure Biah 21:8, he states that:
נָשִׁים הַמְסוֹלָלוֹת זוֹ בָּזוֹ אָסוּר וּמִמַּעֲשֵׂה מִצְרַיִם הוּא שֶׁהֻזְהַרְנוּ עָלָיו שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא יח ג) "כְּמַעֲשֵׂה ...
- 129k
2
votes
1
answer
120
views
Informing people of a sin that you made them do
Is there any obligation to inform someone of a sin that came about because of you, which they will never realise unless you reveal it, and it is already too late (and won't be repeated by not ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
51
views
Is it to our credit, or our discredit, if we feel ashamed and in awe of the Greatness of the Divine Presence?
There's a theme that appears a lot in the commentaries that being afraid of holiness, ashamed of nakedness and so on are either good things, or unfortunate results of bad things.
For an example of the ...
- 3,385
5
votes
3
answers
259
views
Root of Tribe of Binyamin's Sin
We have a rule that everything found in the Navi (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings) are sourced in the Torah (see opinion of Rabbi Yochanan in Taanit 9a, see also Talmud Yerushalmi Megilla Chapter 1 ...
- 26
2
votes
3
answers
69
views
Why didn't Hashem warn Adam and Chava about the curses?
Simple question, why did He surprise them with curses? Initially He just said they will surely die if they are the fruit. After they do, He then tells them that not only will they die but lots of ...
- 2,115
1
vote
2
answers
153
views
A thought is considered a separate sin?
When someone commits a sin, is the thought of that sin considered a separate transgression? If this person, for instance, eats a forbidden food, is the thought of eating this food considered a second ...
- 19.1k
0
votes
1
answer
40
views
When attempting to sin is considered an actual sin?
If someone attempts to sin but, for some reason, is not successful, normally God disregards his attempt and does not punish him (as it is stated in Kiddushin 40a "מַחְשָׁבָה רָעָה אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ ...
- 40.4k
3
votes
3
answers
176
views
Is saying Shutup to a fellow Jew a sin?
If someone says something to offend you, can you just reply with a “Shutup!”, or will this be considered as hurting one’s feelings? This is a serious question. If it is a sin how else can you let ...
- 335
22
votes
5
answers
7k
views
If masturbation is so bad, why is it not in list of 613 Mitzvos?
If masturbation is, as stated in the Shulchan Oruch (Even HaEzer 23:1), "the worst sin in the Torah", then why is it not listed in any of the various lists of 613 Mitzvos and why is there no verse in ...
- 131
-1
votes
1
answer
52
views
Soul Fruit - what do we know?
Bereshit 2:9:
ויצמח יהוה אלהים מן־האדמה כל־עץ נחמד למראה וטוב למאכל ועץ החיים בתוך
הגן ועץ הדעת טוב ורע
And from the ground Hashem, God, caused to grow every tree that was pleasing
to the sight and ...
- 1,522
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is it a sin to watch a naked woman?
Is it a sin for a man to watch a naked woman?
In 2 Shmuel 11:2 David watched a naked woman, was that a sin?
- 3,385
0
votes
1
answer
42
views
Does the Shekhinah remove Israel’s sin on the Day Of Atonement?
I have read and heard that the Shekhinah appeared before the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. Did The Shekhinah remove sin?
- 46.6k
0
votes
1
answer
146
views
Should Genesis 1:4 say that the light "was" or "is" good?
As a non-Jew who has very little knowledge of Hebrew, I'm curious as to the following:
Is the Hebrew text clear on this, one way or the other?
If so, which is it?
If not, are there any Jewish ...
- 81
8
votes
11
answers
5k
views
Is wasting seed a sin for a gentile?
I know that wasting seed is the worst sin in Judaism and a Jew who committed it is considered very wicked. Yet, I am not sure about wasting seed ? is it a sin or not?
I am a gentile wanting to ...
- 23.7k
1
vote
1
answer
106
views
Is the use of beads as a meditation tool acceptable if they aren't an item of idolatry?
Beads have a history of use in different religions. They also have a general use in human society as a whole detached from religion.
One simple example of the nonreligious version is the Greek ...
- 159
2
votes
2
answers
296
views
What’s the mitzvah or deed you can do that could absolve you of a sin you did 70 years ago?
If I’m not mistaken, I read about such a mitzvah in Mesechet Taanit, but then I couldn’t find it and now it’s annoying me. Though, I could have also simply seen it somewhere else. So does anyone know ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
107
views
Why does the Kabbalah believe that human sin creates demons?
According to this entry in Wikipedia:
"In Kabbalah, demons are regarded a necessary part of the divine emanation in the material world and a byproduct of human sin (Qliphoth). After they are ...
- 3,385
0
votes
0
answers
34
views
What is the difference between the different Hebrew words for sin? [duplicate]
What is the difference between transgression, iniquity, and sin?
Exodus 34:7:
נֹשֵׂ֥א עָוֺ֛ן וָפֶ֖שַׁע וְחַטָּאָ֑ה
In the Sefaria translation:
forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin
- 73.6k
1
vote
0
answers
33
views
Speaking negatively about someone - not about an Aveirah or Middah
When speaking negatively about someone, whether about an Aveirah that person did, or a bad middah he has, one transgresses the aveirah of Lashon Hara. The same is true if a negative remark can cause ...
- 5,973
0
votes
0
answers
35
views
Does God extend punishment to those who do not sin?
In those days they will never say again: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But each one will die for his iniquity; of every man who eats sour grapes his ...
- 525
31
votes
23
answers
9k
views
How can I curb my sexual desire?
I am looking for the best and most practical suggestion as to what a man can do to curb his yetzer hara (evil inclination) for sexual desire. Please provide sources for why your answer should be ...
- 3,385
-1
votes
1
answer
100
views
How could Adam HaRishon have contained all the souls that would ever be inside of him, including evil, even before the sin?
I recall a concept from the teachings of the Arizal and elsewhere that before eating of the tree of knowledge, Adam HaRishon contained all the souls that would ever exist within him, but the good and ...
- 131
2
votes
5
answers
165
views
What sin was Hevel killed for? [duplicate]
In Judaism we believe that someone who is murdered is being killed as punishment for his sins. What sin did Hevel commit to deserve to be put to death?
- 1,539
0
votes
2
answers
77
views
Concept of sinner?
In Judaism is there a concept of being a sinner.
What I mean by that is in the xhristian religion, most everyone considers themselves a sinner. Would not the point be to consider yourself righteous ...
- 2,022
2
votes
2
answers
198
views
Is a reason given for why the sacrifice of the Red Heifer was made at the Mt. of Olives rather than at the Beit Hamikdash?
As stated, the Red Heifer sacrificial process involved taking the animal to the Mt. of Olives opposite the temple.
Was a reason for this ever given? Is it purely to emphasize the separation of this ...
- 4,750
8
votes
2
answers
339
views
I "stole" an ice cube. What can I do for Kaparah?
Yesterday, I was stung by a bee while walking at the zoo. After icing down the sting for a while, I continued on my way. A few minutes later, however, the bee-sting began to hurt again. I happened ...
- 149
2
votes
4
answers
112
views
Possible causes of divine judgement of losing one's memory, measure for measure?
This is definitely not to imply that anyone who gets Alzheimer's or has memory issues is being judged for sin. Who knows the ways of Hashem in every situation? But in some cases, we see in Tanakh that ...
- 25.5k
4
votes
2
answers
144
views
Teshuva knowing that I'm likely to sin again
Every year I have a very similar list of aveiros that I want to stop. Practically, I know that it is too much to expect myself to have completely stopped all of them by next Rosh Hashana, so I ...
- 155
0
votes
2
answers
61
views
Being punished for things beyond bechira point
According to Rabbi Dessler's idea of a "bechira point", if something is beyond my bechira point and I transgress it, does that mean that I won't be punished for it because it is beyond what ...
- 4,359
0
votes
3
answers
57
views
Does coming to God near death count less than coming to God when times are good?
Growing old and dying are a normal part of life.
For some people though, the realization time is running out can result in them pursuing God in a last minute act of desperation.
Hypothetically ...
- 1,323
1
vote
1
answer
65
views
Reducing aveiros vs increasing mitzvos
Is it more important to focus on reducing our aveiros than increasing our mitzvos? Does that depend on anything?
- 5,973
0
votes
1
answer
66
views
How are sins forgiven? [duplicate]
If the original Jews were forgiven of their sins through the sacrificing of lambs, and sacrificing is no longer being practiced, how are sins being forgiven now?
- 5,973
1
vote
3
answers
261
views
What is the number one sin?
What is the ultimate sin?
What I found on the web, were the big three, Incest, Murder, Idolatry.
Though what makes these three cardinal?
What about Lashon Hara, Motzey Shemra, Masturbation (The only ...
- 19.1k
2
votes
4
answers
257
views
Interrupting learning to reflect on creation is a cause of mortal guilt. Why is this so bad?
Rambam in Hilchos Yesodei Hatorah 2(2) says
But how may one discover the way to love and fear Him? When man will
reflect concerning His works, and His great and wonderful creatures,
and will ...
- 25.5k
1
vote
3
answers
159
views
Does God Punish Other People for another's sins?
In our day and age, according to Judaism, do we believe that others get punished for the sins another commit?
- 803
1
vote
2
answers
143
views
What Torah issur did the meraglim transgress?
Since the meraglim sinned after the Torah has already been given, it'd seem that to be punished with death they would have had to transgress a Torah issur which carries the capital punishment (or misa ...
- 5,973
4
votes
1
answer
116
views
Who else says the Jews violate the Ten Commandments during the first Temple
I always understood, based on the gemarra in Yoma 9b, that the Jews were guilty of the three cardinal sins during the First Temple period (murder, illicit relations, and idol worship). However, I ...
- 19.2k
-1
votes
1
answer
78
views
If I deny G-d access to my thoughts. Would He read it anyway? Are my thoughts publics by default?
If I deny G-d access to my thoughts. Would He read it anyway?
For G-d, Are my thoughts publics by default?
- 5,973
13
votes
3
answers
666
views
Why was Hosea acceptable to the people if he took his adulterous wife back?
Hosea is described by Rabbi Yochanan in Pesachim 87a as the greatest of the four major prophets. At G-d's command (Hosea 1:2), he married a prostitute, Gomer, and fathered children, although there ...
0
votes
3
answers
215
views
Forgiveness of Adam's sin
Why do we suffer for the sin not committed by us, is it not contrary to Ezekiel 18? Can we ask for this sin to be forgiven? and how do we repent from something we have no access to?
- 10.2k
0
votes
0
answers
106
views
Marriage clarification!
I was once told, that marriage clears one’s sins, though I doubt it’s that simple.
Could someone please explain to me the actual perimeters. Does it need to be a kosher wedding, does the Chattan and ...
- 7,282
0
votes
3
answers
422
views
Healing in the Torah and Talmud, how to receive healing from Hashem? [closed]
Healing in the Torah and Talmud, how to receive it? We see many in the Torah are healed by Hashem. I wonder is there some knowledge how to receive it and what is the connection? Like if you have pain ...
- 22.6k
3
votes
1
answer
147
views
How were sins atoned for after the destruction of the 1st Temple until the establishment of the 2nd Temple?
This is of course in reference to the period in time during which no Temple stood and when the Babylonian exile occurred.
Do we have any particular reference from Jewish sources, in particular the ...
- 5,973
3
votes
1
answer
108
views
Can God influence man to sin?
We know that God is Sovereign, Creator of all things, whether spiritual or physical, and nothing escapes His control or goes against Him.
So, from what is written:
"However, [God hardened Pharaoh'...
- 9,175
2
votes
0
answers
85
views
Is celebrating the secular new year forbidden or problematic since it is based around a calendar relating to Jesus' birth?
The secular calendar in most countries is based around the BC/AD system. This calendar is derived from the Julian and Gregorian calendar traditions which mark the birth of Jesus as a focal point for ...
- 806
13
votes
2
answers
593
views
Learning Torah from a confirmed sinner?
A learned friend of mine is of the opinion that it is forbidden to learn from a Rabbi (or anyone else) who is known to have sinned. He used the example of a particular Rabbi caught in a scandal so ...
- 44.8k
2
votes
1
answer
145
views
Where do the severely depressed and mentally ill fit in within Judaism's view of the world?
Mental illness is a strange topic because I find it creates conflict with a lot of the beliefs I've been taught about sin and free will.
The vast majority of the world operates under their own choice. ...
- 10.6k
-2
votes
3
answers
196
views
Can only animal sacrifices forgive sins?
Can only animal sacrifices forgive sins?
In Exodus 12:27 it is written
you shall say, ‘It is the passover sacrifice to the LORD, because He
passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He ...
- 4,359
0
votes
1
answer
82
views
Mitzvah habaah beaveirah with a rabbinic prohibition
Is fulfilling a biblical mitzvah by transgressing a rabbinic prohibition considered "mitzvah habaah beaveirah", where they lose their credit for the mitzvah (see Sukkah 30a)? For instance ...
- 19.2k