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
2
votes
3
answers
454
views
What is the halacha regarding averot that one must not do even to avoid death?
What is the halacha regarding averot that one must not do even to avoid death? I have heard, but do not believe it to be correct, that the halacha is that one must prefer death to (1) forced ...
- 21
3
votes
3
answers
154
views
Waiting to do teshuvah until 20
If a boy (teenager) learned he will not be punishesd until he is 20 and decides to go off the derech with the plan to do teshuvah at 20, would HaSh-m accept his teshuva?
- 31
7
votes
2
answers
185
views
Reward and punishment for indirect mitzvot and averot
If I create something with a certain purpose, and it's used for another purpose (good or bad), do I have a share in the mitzvot or averot people made with my creation? I'll give three examples to make ...
- 4,556
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
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 ...
- 44.5k
8
votes
2
answers
486
views
If you don't repent of a sin,will the consequence last forever?
Will Hashem punish you until you repent? Or has a sin a time limit?
If you steal a car and you don't repent will Hashem punish you until you repent?
If there is a time limit for sin can we ...
- 1,468
8
votes
2
answers
400
views
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 ...
- 19.5k
0
votes
2
answers
150
views
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 ...
- 1,468
0
votes
3
answers
420
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 ...
- 1,468
11
votes
2
answers
426
views
Is it a sin to joke about sinning?
For instance, to joke about committing suicide or something less extreme like eating non-kosher.
My inclination is towards saying that it is forbidden since it might desensitize one to the idea ...
- 1,665
3
votes
2
answers
177
views
Intent in sinning
Is there any difference in the consequence depending on the reason one commits an aveirah?
Case A) I know that something is an aveirah and I respect halacha, but for some reason, I feel a need to ...
- 37.1k
2
votes
1
answer
74
views
Are there specific standards for refusing to uphold a certain law in Judaism as a form of civil disobedience? [closed]
Are there any texts on civil disobedience in Judaism? Is it an acceptable practice?
Clarification: I was asking if there is a specific Jewish protocol for civil disobedience for civil laws/civil ...
- 179
1
vote
1
answer
78
views
Could a great sage tell if someone had a strong yetzer hara? That are in grave risk of becoming a rasha?
A very strange question and is mostly theoretical (well I am a writer, but I don't want to spread Lashon Hara about the Jewish people in my short story)*. But if someone was a great sage and lived at ...
1
vote
2
answers
153
views
How come chofni and phineas sin or not sinning?
Chofni and Pinchas, the sons of Eli, when they seemingly cheated those
bringing offerings at Mishkan Shilo and cohabitated with the women who
congregated at the Mishkan. (I Shmuel 12-17,22)
...
- 4,335
5
votes
4
answers
983
views
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 ...
- 4,556
3
votes
0
answers
108
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 ...
- 1,665
4
votes
2
answers
646
views
Is one allowed to eat food that was prepared by someone else being mechalel Shabbos?
For example, if someone's mother makes egg salad for the whole family on Shabbos but peels the eggs a few hours before the meal when it's supposed to be peeled immediately before the meal. If the ...
- 557
4
votes
0
answers
110
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 ...
- 7,248
2
votes
3
answers
169
views
Do the actions of animals have moral value?
I vaguely remember reading in the Torah some laws regarding the proper restitution when one person's livestock injures or kills someone else's livestock, but as far as I can recall, it was more ...
- 2,052
5
votes
2
answers
170
views
Kol Nidre: The strangers in their midst
I was reading about Yom Kippur, and I came across this response to the traditional recitation of the Kol Nidre:
"May all the people of Israel be forgiven, including all the strangers who live in ...
- 2,052
8
votes
2
answers
359
views
Kol Nidre: Is it lawful to pray along with sinners?
I was reading about Yom Kippur, and I came across this in a translation of the traditional recitation of the Kol Nidre:
"By the authority of the Court on High and by authority of the court down ...
- 2,052
6
votes
5
answers
8k
views
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 ...
- 1,955
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 ...
- 1,955
0
votes
2
answers
142
views
Sin offering after woman giving birth vs not responsible for words uttered in pain
This question lists rationales for the sin offering a woman must bring after giving birth, among them for the words she may have uttered. How is this reconciled with a person not to blame for words ...
- 1,083
0
votes
2
answers
177
views
Is there anything in the torah that says that breaking one commandment means breaking all?
I think I read somewhere in the torah that breaking one commandment means breaking all. Hashem himself said that. I could be wrong.
Searching at google and all I found is from a book of James in ...
- 4,335
9
votes
3
answers
691
views
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 ...
- 91
0
votes
4
answers
188
views
Torah atones for all sins
I once read a quote that said, "Learning Torah atones for all sins."
Does anyone know where this Menachos, Kesubos or Eruvin?
- 6,777
2
votes
5
answers
402
views
Why is it allowed to become a Nazir
The Gemara says in Taanis 11a:
דתניא ר' אלעזר הקפר ברבי אומר מה תלמוד לומר {במדבר ו-יא} וכפר עליו
מאשר חטא על הנפש וכי באיזה נפש חטא זה אלא שציער עצמו מן היין והלא
דברים קל וחומר ומה זה שלא ...
- 15.2k
2
votes
1
answer
131
views
Which aspects of this case would Halacha mandate repentance/punishment for?
The secular trial of Rabbi Barry Freundel is now over, and a sentence has been passed by the DC Superior court.
Looking at the uncontested facts of Rabbi Freundel's modus operandi (encouraging ...
- 368
6
votes
1
answer
706
views
Is it halachically permissible for a Jew to own a casino?
For the purpose of my question, assume that the modern casinos have games which, on average, favor the house. They don't win every spin of the roulette wheel, nor every throw of the dice, but the ...
- 161
2
votes
1
answer
196
views
Isn't the concept of mamzerut in violation of Ezekiel 18:19-20?
The mention of the mamzer (traditionally, "bastard") in Devarim 23:3 is traditionally understood as the severe social stigmatization of a child born of an illicit sexual union. Such individuals are ...
user3342
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
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 ...
- 6,628
9
votes
6
answers
8k
views
A wife wants to stop going to the mikva. What does that mean for the husband?
If a wife sees no value in keeping the laws of family purity, and wants to stop going to the mikva, what are the halachic ramifications for the husband?
The answer that I'm looking for is what ...
- 99
3
votes
2
answers
230
views
Original Sources for Ideas about Hidden Path to Moshiach
I sat in a class recently and listened to an Orthodox rabbi expound on the convoluted path that had to be taken in the past and will presumably be taken in the future to get to Moshiach. I may not ...
- 5,155
3
votes
1
answer
242
views
A Less-Observant Jew Leading Prayers
Can a Jew who does not observe Shabbat act as a shaliach tzibur (to lead prayers on behalf the congregation)? I know that many are lenient and find reasons to count a mechalel shabbat for a minyan, ...
- 5,155
3
votes
0
answers
152
views
Are there any statistics for the fraction of orthodox jews rejecting their religion? [closed]
Is anyone familiar with any statistics regarding how many religious jews "go off the derech"?
To be clear, I am not asking about assimilation rates which are relatively easy to find. I would like to ...
- 441
2
votes
2
answers
263
views
Why was King David Punished for Sending Others to Conduct a Census?
If there is no agency for sin, why was King David punished for sending people out to conduct a (forbidden) census? (Explanation of agency: The Talmud says "ein sheliach l'dvar averia," which means, ...
- 7,715
11
votes
2
answers
248
views
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, ...
- 1,550
3
votes
2
answers
74
views
Complete wickedeness instead of tikkun as path to redemption?
Rabbi Yochanan tells us that
“אין בן דוד בא, אלא בדור שכולו זכאי, או כולו חייב”.
“the son of David (Mashiach) comes only in a generation that all the people have merits or in a generation that all are ...
- 1,083
1
vote
1
answer
112
views
Paying for a forbidden service
If one hires someone to do a service that is halachically forbidden, is he obligated/allowed to pay for it, e.g. blei gissen.
- 17.4k
3
votes
1
answer
558
views
A sin done while drunk
Is a sin done while inebriated considered an unintentional (bShogeg) sin? Sources are welcome.
- 1,523
6
votes
2
answers
205
views
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 ...
- 7,248
8
votes
4
answers
402
views
What is the iniquity of the Emorites?
Rashi on Bereshis 48:22 explains מִיַּד הָאֱמֹרִי as follows
מיד עשו שעשה מעשה אמורי
The pasuk earlier in Bereshis (15:16) implies that the Emorites were sinners
כִּי לֹא שָׁלֵם עֲוֹן הָאֱמֹרִי ...
- 281
3
votes
0
answers
269
views
What exactly was Adam and Chava's sin?
Bereshit 2:9-10 tells about HaShem Elohim 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 ...
- 1,019
11
votes
1
answer
582
views
Is a homosexual male obligated to try everything to change his orientation?
Given that homosexual relations is a biblical sin, I would like to know if a Jewish male homosexual has an obligation to try to change his sexual orientation (as opposed to just not acting on his ...
user6641
1
vote
0
answers
64
views
Why entrap B'rurya? [duplicate]
Rashi, Avoda Zara 18 amud 2, in my own translation:
One time, [B'rurya] belittled the sages' having said that women's knowledge is light on them. [Her husband, Rabi Meir,] told her, "By your life, ...
- 73.5k
5
votes
5
answers
625
views
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?
- 6,596
6
votes
1
answer
140
views
punishment for instigating a crime, intentionally
Is someone who causes another person to sin liable for that sin as if he did it himself?
(Please also consider someone scheming, who intentionally plays stupid people, causing them to kill each ...
- 101
1
vote
1
answer
129
views
May one read a map or document hung on the wall by a Jew during Shabbos?
Let's say a Jew hung a map or a document on the wall on Shabbos.
For the purposes of this question, let's assume that this was a desecration of Shabbos (presumably because of the prohibition on ...
- 4,181
4
votes
0
answers
83
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 ...
- 1,874
-2
votes
3
answers
1k
views
No Hope for Salvation
Are there any sins that Hashem will not forgive, even if the person does teshuva sincerely and completely? I'm wondering if, perhaps, the "big three" of idolatry, murder, and deviant sexual behavior ...
- 1,584