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.
363
questions
-1
votes
1
answer
48
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 ...
- 3,265
0
votes
1
answer
39
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?
- 665
0
votes
1
answer
141
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 ...
- 33
1
vote
1
answer
102
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 ...
- 806
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
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
90
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
30
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 ...
- 2,012
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 ...
- 399
-1
votes
1
answer
96
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
75
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 ...
- 665
2
votes
2
answers
197
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 ...
- 806
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 ...
- 371
2
votes
5
answers
159
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
58
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 ...
- 1,417
4
votes
2
answers
138
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 ...
- 1,417
0
votes
3
answers
55
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 ...
- 806
1
vote
1
answer
61
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?
- 1,417
0
votes
1
answer
53
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
248
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 ...
- 75
1
vote
3
answers
152
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
129
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 ...
- 2,054
-1
votes
1
answer
77
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
4
votes
1
answer
115
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 ...
- 18.9k
0
votes
0
answers
104
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 ...
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
144
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 ...
- 482
3
votes
1
answer
106
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
81
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
0
votes
3
answers
204
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?
- 89
2
votes
1
answer
141
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. ...
- 806
-2
votes
3
answers
194
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 ...
- 151
0
votes
1
answer
79
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 ...
- 73
2
votes
1
answer
119
views
Can I be condemned only by my thoughts? (without doing any bad deed) [duplicate]
Can I be condemned only by my thoughts? (without doing any bad deed)
Note: This question is related to another question on this site
- 198
2
votes
0
answers
81
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 "...
- 25.3k
0
votes
1
answer
141
views
For those who claim that David didn't sin, why didn't he marry Bat Sheva right away?
In the story of David sleeping secretly with Bat Shevah and trying to conceal his actions by fooling Uriah (II_Samuel.11.25). THe Gemmorah (Shabbat.56a) suggests that David didn't sin:
"As Rabbi ...
- 25.3k
2
votes
0
answers
115
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 ...
- 571
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?
- 198
2
votes
1
answer
66
views
Remembering One's Sins After Yom Kippur
Should one remember and keep the guilt of his sins after Yom Kippur? If he had previously written them in a book, in order to have the proper mindset during tachanun throughout the year, should the ...
- 571
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Does a parent carry a child's sins beyond the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah if they were irresponsible in how they raised their child?
Parents own the responsibility of the sins of their children until the child has reached their age of Bar/Bat mitzvah. There is even a blessing Baruch Shepetarani the father makes which thanks Hashem ...
- 806
-2
votes
1
answer
174
views
What are the parameters of the “enjoyment/ שִׂמְחָ֗ה that the author of Kohelet did not deny himself?
Kohelet 2 (10) writes that he “denied myself no enjoyment”. Does that mean a mix of 'permitted' and 'no permitted enjoyment'?
Ecclesiastes 2:10
וְכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָֽׁאֲל֣וּ עֵינַ֔י לֹ֥א אָצַ֖לְתִּי ...
- 198
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Why is the flour option available in only one case?
Vayikra 5 describes the offering required as a Chatat. This subcategory allows offerings of varying value, depending on what the guilty person can afford. Vayikra 5:11 reads
וְאִם־לֹא֩ תַשִּׂ֨יג ...
- 37.1k
1
vote
0
answers
95
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.
...
- 1,883
2
votes
2
answers
294
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 ...
- 636
2
votes
0
answers
69
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 ...
- 806
5
votes
2
answers
426
views
Moshe and Aharon never sinned
The gemarra in Shabbos 55a says a rule: אין מיתה בלא חטא, no one dies without having sinned. As an attempt to refute this rule, the gemarra brings a baraisa that says:
מֵיתִיבִי: אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי ...
- 18.9k
2
votes
1
answer
88
views
What counts as unintentionally performing an aveira?
For example you accidentally light a fire on Shabbat, I assume this counts as unintentional. If you light a fire thinking it is a rabbinic prohibition, does this count as unintentional?
In a more ...
- 303
4
votes
2
answers
173
views
If a composer of a nigun is accused of a serious offense should his nigun no longer be sung?
If someone who is well respected in the community writes wonderful inspiring nigunim that are used in tefila, and then allegations appear that the individual is suspected of, or implicated in, serious ...
- 157
-1
votes
1
answer
67
views
Are Sarah's sins implied in the opening of Chayye Sarah?
This week's portion, Chayye Sarah, opens with the death of Sarah at age 127:
Sarah’s lifetime came to one hundred years and twenty years and seven years -- that was the span of her life. [Genesis 23:...
- 18.5k
1
vote
3
answers
96
views
What positive knowledge was earned from eating the forbidden fruit?
Implicitly, the tree was called "the tree of knowledge of good and bad", and we all know the "bad" part - they realized the wickedness of their nakedness.
My question is simple: ...
- 25.3k
2
votes
0
answers
80
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
5
votes
7
answers
1k
views
Why does the Torah not make more concessions to the evil inclination?
The Torah says:
When you take ... your enemies ... captive, and you see among them a woman of beautiful form, and you desire her, you may take her to yourself as a wife. [Deuteronomy 21:11]
But the ...
- 18.5k