Saturday 28 June 2014

No sacrifice for intentional sin?


I came across this commentary on Leviticus 4 from the Artscroll Chumash:
The Torah now lists offerings that are required in order to atone for sins, in contrast to the offerings of the previous chapters that one brings voluntarily in order to elevate oneself spiritually.

These offerings cannot atone for for sins that were committed intentionally. No offering is sufficient to remove the stain of such sinfulness; that can be done only through repentance and a change of the attitudes that made it possible for the transgressor to flout God's will. On the other hand, if the sin was committed accidentally and without intent, no offering is needed.

Sin offerings are needed to atone for deeds that were committed inadvertently, as a result of carelessness. As Ramban points out, even though they were unintentional, such deeds blemish the soul and require that it be purified, for if the sinner had sincerely regarded them with the proper gravity, the violations would not have occurred. As experience teaches, people are careful about things that matter to them, but tend to be careless about trivialities.  Had the Sabbath, for example, been truly important to the inadvertent sinner, he would not have "forgotten" what day of the week it was. Had he been as scrupulous as he should have been about avoiding forbidden foods, he would not have carelessly confused forbidden fat with permitted fat.

This provides perspectives on the Torah's view of sin, it provides no "ritual" to atone for intentional sins, only God can see into man's heart and judge whether he has truly repented.
Source: Sherman, R. Nosson et al (2004).   The Chumash, Stone Edition.   Menorah Publications, NY. Page 555.

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