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.
52
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
8
votes
1
answer
363
views
Would suicide be considered acceptable if it was done to prevent yourself being sacrificed to an idol deity?
This is an oddly specific question but the thought came to me and I wanted to know what your opinions on it would be.
Historically speaking, human sacrifice was a regular occurrence in various pagan ...
user15672
7
votes
0
answers
108
views
Vasectomy reversal
A Jew had a vasectomy before he was aware of the severity of the sin.
Is he obligated to undergo a reversal?
- 71
6
votes
0
answers
486
views
is there any redemption for a gentile who breaks any of the 7 Noahide laws
If a gentile breaks any of the 7 laws of Noah, are they doomed? Is there any way for them to redeem themselves, or is their fate sealed?
Does it depend on which laws they break and how often they ...
- 395
6
votes
0
answers
199
views
Are Tabletop Roleplay Games a sin?
I'm an atheist (agnostic with a Christian background) Game master.
One of my Jewish friend showed interested in one of my roleplay campaign, while I'd be very happy to introduce him to the game, I ...
- 161
6
votes
2
answers
413
views
What exactly was Adam and Chava's sin?
Bereshit 2:9-10 tells that HaShem made to spring up every tree (in Gan Eden) pleasing to the sight, and tov for food and the Etz HaChayim (Tree of Life) also in the midst of Gan Eden, and the Etz HaDa’...
- 1,079
5
votes
0
answers
67
views
(Why) did God take away free will from the sons of Eli?
In 1 Shmuel 2:25 it indicates that the sons of Eli don't repent for their sins because God wanted to kill them
וְלֹ֤א יִשְׁמְעוּ֙ לְק֣וֹל אֲבִיהֶ֔ם כִּֽי־חָפֵ֥ץ ה' לַהֲמִיתָֽם
But [the sons of Eli] ...
- 14.2k
4
votes
0
answers
117
views
Questioner's liability for receiving a wrong psak
If someone asked a competent Rav a shaila, and the Rav was wrong, is the "questioner" liable? For example, if someone asked a Rav if one is permitted to water his plants on Shabbat and the Rav ...
user8726
4
votes
0
answers
113
views
Adam 's sin out of deveikut?
I found this online:
In his sefer "Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh," R' Itamar Shwartz emphasizes the important point that our existence in this world is for the purpose of being davuk to our Creator; to be ...
- 7,358
4
votes
0
answers
85
views
List of things that make one 'as if one rejects the core'
I was recently looking up something about lashon harah, and on Erchin 15A, Rav Yosi ben Zimra says that anyone that says lashon harah it is as if they reject everything, and I know I have seen similar ...
- 1,894
4
votes
0
answers
220
views
How can one make repentance for things he can't remember?
Say an unmarried Baal Teshuvah at the age of 30 decided to make repentance. A lot of time has gone by and he doesn't remember who he cheated, lied to, stole from, spoke loshen hara about, and so on. ...
- 13.2k
3
votes
0
answers
173
views
Is there a Rabbinical stance on "Ghost Hunting" and whether it is an allowable activity?
Strange topic but I was curious if anything existed in relation to it.
"Ghost Hunting" can be done for different reasons. Typically, it's in reference to paranormal investigators seeking evidence of ...
user20915
3
votes
0
answers
88
views
What are the implications of "deserving death"?
The Sources frequently say that certain people "deserve death". Examples in the Talmud:
He who transgresses the rulings of the Sages deserve death. [Berakhot 4b]
He who emits semen in vain ...
- 21.9k
3
votes
0
answers
65
views
Rabbinically speaking, does honoring a Mitzvah in year 5777 matter more than honoring a Mitzvah during year 1?
"A person who honors a Mitzvah now, they will receive a greater grace and reward in the world to come than if they were honoring the same Mitzvah during the time of revelation.
The above statement ...
user13783
3
votes
0
answers
117
views
What degree of punishment is assigned to one who wants to commit a sin, but is only stopped by the lack of an opportunity?
For instance, if one thought of murdering a certain someone, but the only thing stopping him was the lack of an opportunity, would he be liable to a punishment equal to that of a murderer, or ...
- 1,695
3
votes
0
answers
80
views
What constitutes an "Enemy of God"?
(I'm not referring here to Tenokim Shenishbu.)
Devarim 7: "And he repays his enemies in his lifetime to make him perish, he shall noy delay for his enemy, in his lifetime shall he pay him".
Who are ...
- 163
3
votes
0
answers
253
views
Limit(s) on the obligation to forgive?
There's a common adage, based on the Rambam, that if a person harms someone else, and then seeks forgiveness three times, the aggrieved party is obligated to forgive the person, or else carry the sin. ...
- 41.6k
3
votes
0
answers
137
views
Why were these pasukim chosen for the upside down Nuns?
In Bamidbar 10:35-36 there are two upside down Nuns. The traditional explanation is that this serves as a break between different accounts of wicked behavior. Not wanting to list three such counts in ...
user2110
3
votes
0
answers
284
views
Eating treif under hashgacha
What happens if someone eats at a restaurant with a kosher certification (hashgacha) but is served, and unknowingly eat non-kosher? What are the spiritual and halachic ramifications to all parties ...
user2110
3
votes
1
answer
355
views
Why were the Israelites punished on account of King David's census?
In 2 Samuel 24, King David orders a census, against the advice of his chief of staff, Joab. Then God becomes angry and 70,000 people die of a plague. David is repentant:
But afterward David ...
- 21.9k
2
votes
0
answers
25
views
Which steps of Tshuva must be said out loud?
There are multiple stages to Tshuva.
Unfortunately we make many small mistakes every day. It becomes cumbersome to do Tshuva for all of them and say them all out loud (all stages).
Which ones must be ...
- 619
2
votes
0
answers
105
views
(Re)Sources on regaining spirituality and comprehension of Torah after sin
The Ramak writes that when one sins, the sin will serve as a shell (kelipah) that will prevent one from comprehending the esoteric part of Torah.
In the book of Tikkunim they stated explicitly that ...
- 9,953
2
votes
0
answers
170
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 ...
- 1,029
2
votes
1
answer
183
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 ...
- 1,305
2
votes
0
answers
99
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 ...
- 1,305
2
votes
0
answers
92
views
What is the earliest reference of the "original sin"?
The term "חטא הקדמון", or "חטא אדם הראשון" is used widely in Kabalistic and Musar literature to explain Jewish theology, where the world is seen as somewhat broken by this "...
- 26k
2
votes
0
answers
128
views
Can one transfer someone else's sin onto himself?
Can one accept the consequences of someone else's actions?
It would seem unfair and unlikely that one would be able to accept someone else's rewards. If that is true, does it also apply to accepting ...
- 581
2
votes
0
answers
99
views
Would it be forbidden to model a synagogue's design after the Beit Hamikdash?
The Beit Hamikdash has models. You can purchase them online if you so desire. That being said, those are purely models and are not used for anything beyond study/exhibition.
My question is whether it ...
- 1,305
2
votes
0
answers
86
views
R. Meir and Reish Lakish on Gan Eden and Gehinnom
I remember reading humble statements by both R. Meir and Reish Lakish, saying about themselves that they would probably need to go through Gehinnom to some degree, because of unknown sins and ...
- 133
2
votes
0
answers
126
views
What is the Jewish belief about atonement for suicide?
Is it possible that the sin of suicide is not forgiveable because the person is no longer living and cannot perform teshuvah? Can the soul repent once it has left this world?
(I did see a question ...
- 1,512
2
votes
0
answers
58
views
Murder in Eretz Yisrael
The Gemara in Yoma (85a) argues that murder is more chamur than chilul Shabbos because it "contaminates the land and drives away the Shechina"
ושפיכות דמים מטמא את הארץ וגורם לשכינה שתסתלק ...
- 3,241
2
votes
0
answers
69
views
Does Hashem create a Michshol?
There is a Jewish law forbidding putting a michshol, a stumbling block, in front of a blind person. This is extended also to mean that one should not lead others into sin, including providing the ...
- 38.3k
2
votes
0
answers
90
views
Is one exempt from asking forgiveness for a sin against another if the result of that apology could lead to greater consequences for the community?
To get to the specifics:
A Jew sinned against someone but that person may not actually be aware of it. (Lets use the example that you stole from his shop and he never noticed)
In the scenario I'm ...
user15672
2
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Is speaking ill of the dead permitted if you are expressing the act as a means of educating someone of a mistake?
In Judaism, there is the established rule of not speaking ill of the dead. It's a forbidden act.
According to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, if one insulted someone who died, he should ask forgiveness ...
user15672
2
votes
0
answers
48
views
Why is R' Tzadok greater than Yosef?
This is part of a series of questions regarding the Braisa in Avos d'Rebbi Nassan 16:2 that lists how Yosef HaTzaddik, R' Tzadok, R' Akiva, and R' Eliezer HaGadol were able to overcome their ...
- 34.3k
2
votes
0
answers
139
views
Would a non-Jew sin if he were to proclaim himself a Jew for the sake of solidarity?
For those interested, I'll also be asking this question on Islam.SE and Christianity.SE (with respect to those religions)
In recent rallies protesting what is perceived as bigoted policies by ...
- 271
2
votes
0
answers
70
views
Is something considered idolatry even if it doesn't acknowledge a deity outside of Hashem?
G-d grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the
difference.
The above listed prayer is known as the Serenity Prayer. It's ...
user13783
2
votes
0
answers
127
views
Before the sin, would it have been possible to be murdered?
We know that before the chet (sin) of the eating of the forbidden fruit, mankind would not physically expire and die. (Death was the punishment given for the sin - B'reishis 3:19, Shabbos 55, Ramban 2:...
- 206
2
votes
0
answers
67
views
Nature of rabbinic and biblical prohibitions and their subcategories
While learning Mishna, I frequently come across distinctions between different levels of prohibitions, as well as allusions to sub-categories within those prohibitions. So, for example, there are ...
- 18.9k
2
votes
1
answer
138
views
Are those below age 20 forgiven more easily?
Are those who are below 20, forgiven by Hashem more easily than others?
The Gemmorah in Shabbat 89b says:
"דל עשרין דלא ענשת עלייהו" - Subtract the first twenty years of his life. [One is not ...
- 1,389
2
votes
1
answer
101
views
Is there a sin associated with driving a Jew away from observance?
I was curious if the topic has ever come up. You typically hear the argument that a Jew's observance is between them and Hashem. If they don't observe, that's obviously a personal choice and thus they ...
user15672
2
votes
1
answer
85
views
Are there some humans in history who are an exception to the idea of free will?
We all talk about the idea that God has an ultimate plan and that we are all existing within that plan.
That said, humans have free will as we are judged by our actions due to this free will.
My ...
- 1,305
1
vote
0
answers
69
views
how can Adam Harishon be a tanya tsadik?
the Alter Rebbe teaches in the Tanya that the true tzadik does not commit averot (sin)
it is explained (in chapter 10 it seems to me) that the beinoni does not commit any avera then a fortiori the ...
- 130
1
vote
0
answers
39
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 ...
- 2,112
1
vote
0
answers
99
views
Can someone transgress the 3 cardinal sins to save Jews?
As we see in the Megilas Esther Perek 3 Mordechai didn't bow down to Haman because according to some he had an idol on his neck. However, by him not doing so enraged him to want to kill all the Jews.
...
- 1,913
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
Is there any opinion suggesting Jews returning from warfare should cleanse themselves in the mikvah to purify from combat?
We are taught that because King David had spilled the blood of the Canaanites in his conquest of Haaretz Yisrael, he was forbidden from building the Beit Hamikdash. This responsibility fell unto ...
- 1,305
0
votes
0
answers
118
views
Can gentile couples be forgiven for adultery?
Are noahide couple partners allowed to "forgive" adultery (as a consumated act described by rambam for noahides)?
- 625
0
votes
0
answers
110
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 ...
- 31
0
votes
0
answers
127
views
Does a Jew named after a respected historical figure need to hold himself to a higher standard of behavior?
This question may sound strange but it relates to the power of names on Judaism.
Typically, when a Jew is named after respected figures from Jewish history, it's done because we hope for our children ...
user15672
0
votes
0
answers
56
views
Why G-d didn't give Adam time/chance to repent?
If I understand the Midrash and the verses correctly, G-d judged Adam straight away after he sinned and expelled them from Eden (see Avos dR"N 1,8):
...תשיעית הכניסו לגן עדן.
עשירית צוהו.
אחד ...
- 26k
-1
votes
1
answer
186
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 ...
- 910