Sin and Repentance
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Condemned Souls?
What sin would someone have to commit for their soul to be condemned? Answer: Thank you for your question. In Judaism we don’t believe that a person’s soul is “condemned”. A soul is very pure, and is very much a…
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Not Accepting an Apology
If I attempt to apologize and explain to another person my sincere belief that I was wrong, and they do not wish to listen, or by inaction do not allow me to voice my feelings, have they wronged me in…
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Atonement Without Blood
I have a question about the Holiday Yom Kippur: I thought according to the Torah, there is only one way to receive atonement for our sins- through the blood that makes atonement for our sins. How do we do that…
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Responsibility for Mistakes
I firmly believe in personal integrity, which of course includes acceptance and acknowledgment of responsibility for one’s actions. But what about the so called “unconscious” acts? Can anyone be accountable for actions or omissions strictly involuntary? Answer: There are different…
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Invasive Thoughts, Thoughts of Death
Recently I started to think a lot about death and I can’t stop thinking about it. It worries me a lot and I’m only 22 years old. I’m worried that G-d forbid I’ll get sick and die early. I don’t…
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Working on Loving Others
I am a 15 year old boy learning in a Yeshiva. I have learned that these days leading up to Rosh Hashana are days of special closeness to G-d and that working to refine our behavior at this time is…
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Breaking a Bad Habit
How should a person stop a bad habit that is very difficult to stop? Answer: Thank you for your excellent question. You already have taken the first and most difficult step in beating any bad habit, and that is admitting…
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“Turning the Other Cheek”
What does Judaism teach about forgiving others for wrongs done to you? Is one expected to endure repeated hateful actions and to forgive endlessly? According to Jewish teachings, is it wrong to terminate a relationship with a sibling who repeatedly…
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Forgiving Others
According to Jewish law, how many times must we forgive someone who wronged us? Answer: You are not obligated to forgive unless the perpetrator asks you to do so. If he admits to having wronged you, expresses true regret, and…