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.
386
questions
2
votes
1
answer
68
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 ...
- 963
2
votes
1
answer
53
views
Does someone get punished for unknowingly committing a sin or unknowingly hurting a person?
Does someone get punished for unknowingly committing a sin or unknowingly hurting a person? Please provide sources, thanks.
- 326
2
votes
2
answers
684
views
Is one punished for sinful thoughts? [duplicate]
Is one punished for sinful thoughts brought upon by one's yetzer hara? Please give sources, thanks in advance.
- 326
-1
votes
0
answers
52
views
How does Judaism define "sin"?
How does Judaism define "sin"? Is it possible to sin without reference to a law?
[Gen 4:7 NASB95] [7] "If you do well, will not [your countenance] be lifted up? And if you do not do ...
- 1,225
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Eisav Harasha having good kibbud av vaem?
Is there a way to make sense of Eisav Harasha knowing he did 5 big aveiros in one day (including murder) and wanting to kill his brother Yackov, and also exhibiting very good kibbud av vaem? How do ...
- 599
1
vote
1
answer
82
views
Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Hoffmann: The tree of knowledge of good and evil and morallity
Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Hoffmann in his commentary to Bereishis 2:7 explains (thanks to AlHaTorah for making this available) that originally, it was the will of Hashem that man was going to learn knowledge ...
- 8,820
5
votes
0
answers
65
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] ...
- 13.6k
1
vote
1
answer
71
views
Source for a Chatat offering on behalf of deceased father and alive son
I think this is a gemara, but I'm not sure where. I heard that you can still bring a chatat that had been separated already on behalf of a father and son who both did the same sin, but then the father ...
1
vote
1
answer
228
views
Adultery in Gentile Marriage
Rambam says that gentile woman are liable for adultery ONLY when they are married and commit sex with another man in a NATURAL WAY (vaginal).
So if a gentile husband allows his wife to have sex in a ...
- 625
0
votes
0
answers
92
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
2
votes
1
answer
90
views
If we Jews don’t believe that we do not suffer from the sins of our fathers
I’m going to preface this first by writing a question: The Christians believe that Jesus died for our sins of the world- to which i personally do not believe that at all- the Christians believe that ...
- 1,008
0
votes
0
answers
76
views
Differences between the mysticism of Rav Kook and the Sabbatean heretic Nathan of Gaza
As I am not a Kabbalist I may be misunderstanding some of the terminologies but having recently read a work by Rav Kook zt"l regarding the Souls of the World of Chaos I noted that the overall ...
- 13.6k
2
votes
0
answers
96
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 ...
- 8,820
0
votes
2
answers
283
views
sex with jewish girlfriend... what are the ways to atone? [closed]
If a Jewish man and his Jewish girlfriend have sex regularly, what is the best way to atone for this? I know that it's kares, but is there any way to atone ?
- 43
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Do the Jews still send a scapegoat once a year to the wilderness?
Do the Jews still send scapegoats bearing the sins of the Jewish people to the wilderness once a year as commanded in Leviticus 16:22?
- 141
3
votes
1
answer
48
views
Temurah and Mitzvah HaBah B'Averirah
Masechet Temurah discusses what happens if one makes a temurah -- attempting to designate a replacement for a dedicated offering. Though this is not allowed, the kedushah of the original does (in many ...
- 37.8k
0
votes
0
answers
29
views
Jewish status as dependent on righteous behaviour [duplicate]
Are there any sources which suggest that somebody's Jewish status is dependent on their refraining from wrongdoing? Obviously a cherem can limit someone's involvement in the community in response to ...
- 2,361
2
votes
0
answers
122
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 ...
- 755
-1
votes
1
answer
169
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 ...
- 806
1
vote
2
answers
81
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 ...
- 7,212
2
votes
3
answers
81
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 ...
- 7,212
1
vote
2
answers
179
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 ...
- 355
0
votes
1
answer
42
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 ...
- 355
2
votes
1
answer
150
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 ...
- 7,212
-1
votes
1
answer
55
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 ...
- 7,212
0
votes
1
answer
44
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?
- 941
0
votes
1
answer
154
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 ...
- 35
2
votes
1
answer
147
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 ...
- 963
0
votes
0
answers
36
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
- 123
0
votes
1
answer
146
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 ...
- 111
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 ...
- 2,064
-1
votes
1
answer
151
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 ...
- 371
0
votes
2
answers
82
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 ...
- 941
2
votes
2
answers
220
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 ...
- 963
2
votes
4
answers
118
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 ...
- 371
2
votes
5
answers
188
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?
- 439
0
votes
2
answers
74
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 ...
- 2,196
4
votes
2
answers
182
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 ...
- 2,196
0
votes
3
answers
61
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 ...
- 963
1
vote
1
answer
67
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?
- 2,196
0
votes
1
answer
75
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?
1
vote
3
answers
293
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 ...
- 122
1
vote
3
answers
170
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?
- 1,523
1
vote
2
answers
169
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 ...
- 2,156
-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?
- 198
5
votes
1
answer
141
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 ...
- 19.6k
0
votes
0
answers
109
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
3
votes
1
answer
164
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 ...
- 492
3
votes
1
answer
111
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'...
- 123
2
votes
0
answers
87
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 ...
- 963