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.
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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 ...
user1552
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Are thoughts of sin punished halachically?
Inspired by this question, I got interested in the question of halakhic punishment for thoughts of sin?
In general, the Torah is not so concerned and doesn't judge how people feel or what their ...
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What is Maris Ayin?
What is the precise definition of Maris Ayin, and to what cases does it apply? (i.e. what are the parameters for applying it)
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Does a convert have a clean slate?
When a non-jew converts to Jusaism, must he still do teshuva from past sins, or does the "reborn" concept stretch far enough to consider him "sinless"?
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Do people have an effect on the mood of God?
If a person commits idolatry or fornication he is sinful. Not only that, but the curse of Hashem is with that person. On the other hand, if a person does a lot of mitswots (commandments) and believes ...
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What does Judaism think about homosexuality?
Is being gay a sin? Can one be a Jew and a gay person at the same time? How does the Jewish community think about gays?
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Why don't Jews sacrifice animals anymore?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jews do not currently sacrifice animals like ancestors long ago. Why do Jews not currently sacrifice animals? Will there be a time when sacrificing returns once again? How ...
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In regards to Torah and Rabbinical writings, how does "honor your father and mother" work when you've been raised in an abusive household?
This is a question I have always had a hard time getting an answer for and I was hoping somebody would be able to explain it.
Honoring your parents is one of the most basic mitzvah in all of Judaism....
user13783
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Anyone who says these people sinned is mistaken. For real?
The Gemara (Talmud Bavli Shabbos 55b-56b) relates that several Biblical figures who, from the text itself, seemed to have sinned, in reality did not. These statements take the form of "כל האומר פלוני ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Homosexuality is "worse than murder"?
A sign at a recent rally protesting New York's 2011 Marriage Equality Act reads
Judaism considers male homosexuality a worse sin than murder
I imagine that this is a minority opinion, but does it ...
anon
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Punishment for sins one cannot now be expected to avoid
I recall a high-school rebbe (teacher) of mine quoting a great rabbi as having said that, if someone religious becomes irreligious, then God will punish him for every time he does not wash his hands ...
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Where are there discussions about Torah commands that nobody is known to have broken?
Where are there discussions about Torah commands that nobody is known to have broken? These discussions can come anywhere, from the Talmud to the Midrashim.
One example I heard is from Devarim 21:18-...
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Making a Berachah on rabbinically prohibited foods
Should one refrain from making a Berachah on rabbinically prohibited foods, or does that rule only apply to biblically prohibited foods?
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Dreaming of doing a sin
Inspired by Why was Hosea acceptable to the people if he took his adulterous wife back?
If one were to dream while sleeping of him or herself doing any sort of sin, is it a sin? (sources)
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Can you steal someone's aveirah item?
In order to prevent another Jew from sinning are you allowed to steal the item he uses to sin with? For example assuming it is assur to smoke (Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer 17:21) can I steal another Jew's ...
user5092
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Why do all women deserve to suffer for the sin of one woman, Chava?
In the Torah, Bereshit 3:16, all women receive the curse of a painful childbirth and their subservience to men. This is all because Chava made the choice to make Adam eat from the tree. Why should all ...
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Mentioning our sins on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh
During every Shemoneh Esrei of mussaf, we pray that the Beis Hamikdash be rebuilt. However, only on Yom Tov do we mention that it was destroyed due to our sins - ומפני חטאינו. On Shabbos, and on Rosh ...
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Why must a Yoledet, a woman who just gave birth, bring a sin offering?
Why must a יולדת bring a sin offering? What does she need כפרה for?
As it says in Vayikra 12:6-7:
וּבִמְלֹאת יְמֵי טָהֳרָהּ לְבֵן אוֹ לְבַת תָּבִיא כֶּבֶשׂ בֶּן שְׁנָתוֹ לְעֹלָה וּבֶן יוֹנָה אוֹ ...
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Is G-ddamn considered cursing God?
If a person says in English the word g-ddamn (or G-d damn) does that transgress the sin of cursing God?
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What drove humans to their first sin?
What caused Adam and Chava to sin; to do the wrong thing; to make the wrong choice: What was it in their human being, thats being called Tov me'od (Bereshit 1:31), that drove them into eating from the ...
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"Fathers shall not be put to death because of sons, nor shall sons be put to death because of fathers" - Contradiction?
Devarim 24:16
Fathers shall not be put to death because of sons, nor shall sons be put to death because of fathers; each man shall be put to death for his own transgression.
Here is a passuk most ...
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Do Jews think that all the unbelievers would go to hell someday?
I wonder whether Judaism teaches that those unbelievers or those who are Jews but nevertheless lead a sinful life would go to hell someday when judgement time comes.
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Is cheating in a test an Averah?
I'm a student and I recently asked myself if cheating in a test is an Averah. I've always believed it obviously is, but after thinking it through I can't think of a specific Averah that would include ...
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Sources to encourage returning s'farim to their places
Hanging signs saying the above was not enough to make people in my synagogue put back the s'farim they have used into the bookcases.
What other mitzvos could I bring on my next edition of the signs?
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Is saying a bracha over non-Kosher food a sin or does it simply not count as a Mitzvot?
This question may sound strange but it came up in a discussion with someone.
They're a Baal Teshuva in progress and are attempting to adjust to the lifestyle. He's getting there but he's doing so in ...
user13783
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Will we be obligated to bring many chatats when the temple is rebuilt?
When the Temple is rebuilt will we each have to bring chatats ("sin" offerings) as necessary based on different sins we have done (which would likely amount to quite a lot of korbanot for a lot of ...
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Issur Kolel What is it?
What is Issur Kolel in the context of "AIN ISSUR CHAL AL ISSUR" I heard two people talking about the concept please illustrarte with example and explain the illustration of the example?
Edit by YDK:
...
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How and why is sin passed to one's children?
We see that the Torah is talking about sin and that it is passed on to the third and fourth generation. How and why? Genetics? How should I understand this?
Exoudus 34:7:
keeping mercy unto the ...
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Does casual sex establish a marriage?
Do premarital sexual relations effect Kiddushin (betrothal/first step of Jewish marriage) if there is no intention of getting married?
If so, is the physical act itself determinative of whether or ...
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Could someone who has committed a heinous crime convert to Judaism?
Is there any reason that someone who has committed horrible sins in the past (for example, mass murder) could not become a Jew? Assume, of course, that the sinner/criminal is willing to do teshuvah ...
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Is a neder about something compulsory valid?
Imagine someone make a neder not to eat pork (this is not a general Neder not to eat meat rather specifically prohibiting pork which is already forbidden). Is that neder valid?
If he then eats pork, ...
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Are there unforgiveable sins?
If parents have committed atrocious sins against their children such as incest, physical abuse, drugging, etc. is it considered an unforgiveable sin?
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Why does there seem to be different standards for future sinners?
In Bereshit (21:17) Rashi tells us that the Angels wanted G-d to kill Yishmael, but G-d said that He wouldn't judge him according to his future deeds, but rather according to his present state:
In ...
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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 ...
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If you check for bugs according to halachic requirements, and then there is a bug in the food, are you liable?
If one or one's wife does everything that is needed for checking, but one accidentally eats a bug anyway, is one liable for the sin(s)?
I'd also be interested in knowing whether one would be liable ...
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Safek yehareg v'al yaavor
If there is a situation in which you aren't sure whether you are required to give up your life, do you give up your life or not?
The most simple example would be if someone doesn't know whether ...
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Permissible to speak lashon hara about repeat wrongdoers?
Is it permissible to speak lashon hara about a Jewish (non-religious) person that knows they are doing something wrong and still do it countless times? What is the source for this in Chafetz Chaim? I'...
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Is it greater to refrain from doing an aveirah than to perform a mitzvah?
Given the opportunity to do a mitzvah or to refrain from doing an aveirah - which would place you in a better situation on the scale of heaven with regards to a person's level of righteousness?
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Teshuva for wasting seed
Is feeling remorse, praying for forgiveness and studying Torah enough to rectify the heavy sin of wasting seed ?
I know that every sin has its own unique way of "correcting" or rectifying it.
And ...
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Difference between חֵטְא and עֲבֵרָה
Is there a difference between a חֵטְא (cheit) and an עֲבֵרָה (aveira)? I translate both of those words as "sin." Maybe they signify a different level of magnitude? Or maybe one word is simply ...
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Did what David do to Batsheba and Uriah technically legal (not sin?)
David is a king.
Uriah is fighting for him.
As a King David has right to send any of his soldiers to any missions. Presumably that includes suicidal mission.
It is possible that Batsheba is not ...
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Why is hell termed Gehinnom?
Why is the place that that wicked are punished for their sins after death termed Gehinnom? Is there is an association with Gei ben Hinnom where idolatry was performed? If so why was this place singled ...
user2110
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What was Hevel (Abel's) sin?
The Arizal says that Hevel was reincarnated many times to purify his sin. What was his sin?
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Contradiction in Chelkas Yoav regarding lifnei iver when the aveira is done by oness
The Chelkas Yoav (vol.1:1) says that when a katan (minor) eats a forbidden food his enjoyment of the food is considered an aveira. The reason that he is not punished is since he is unresponsible for ...
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Being intoxicated a Sin?
Is becoming drunk a sin? If yes, is it a Torah prohibition or a rabbinical one? Please give a lot of details. And also sources.
user6754
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Does G-d punish the innocent?
Almost every law in the Torah commands proper action aside from the first few in the Ten commandments about G-d's and His oneness. In his book, Kosher Jesus, Chapt. 28, pg 163, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach ...
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What are the practical parameters of Mitzvah Haba'ah B'Aveirah?
There are a few questions which ask about whether the concern of a mitzvah which is (or whose practice is) contingent upon the existence of a sin applies in specific cases. But are there any clear cut ...
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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?
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