Deed & Creed - Class #3

Transcription

1 Deed & Creed - Class #3 The path to spiritual wholeness, post-adam and Eve. By Rabbi Benjamin Blech with Rochelle Lev 2007 JewishPathways.com 1

2 Original Sin (14 min. video) Understanding Judaism Introduction p. xvii xxii Source 1: Deuteronomy 24:16 (p ArtScroll Chumash, Stone Edition) Parents shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their parents; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin. Source 2: Exodus 20:4-6 (p. 409 ArtScroll Chumash, Stone Edition) You shall not make yourself a carved image nor any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or on the earth below, or in the water beneath the earth. You shall not prostrate yourself to them nor worship them, for I am Hashem, your God a jealous God, Who visits the sin of parents upon children to the third and forth generations, for My enemies; but Who shows kindness for thousands [of generations] to those who love Me and observe My commandments. Source 3: Genesis 4:3-7 (p. 21 ArtScroll Chumash, Stone Edition) After a period of time, Cain brought an offering to God of the fruit of the ground; and as for Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and from their choicest. God turned to Abel and to his offering, but to Cain and to his offering He did not turn. This annoyed Cain exceedingly, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why are you annoyed, and why has your countenance fallen? Surely, if you improve yourself, you will be forgiven. But if you do not improve yourself, sin rests at the door. Its desire is toward you, yet you can conquer it. 2

3 (1) What is Original Sin? (2) Does Judaism believe that sin can be carried through the generations? Give a source for your answer. (3) Read Source 2. This source, taken from the Ten Commandments, seems to contradict our conclusion that Original Sin is not accepted in the Torah. Explain how this source remains congruent with the Torah s stance on Original Sin. (4) What is Zechut Avot and how is that transmitted through the generations? (5) If the Torah (Old Testament) denies the validity of Original Sin, how do the Christians view the Old Testament s place in Christianity? (6) According to the New Testament: It is easier for a leopard to change its spots than for a person to change his ways. What is the Torah source for the Jewish faith in our ability to change, develop and grow as human beings? 3

4 (1) Q: What is Original Sin? A: Original sin is a tenet of Christian theology stating that when Adam and Eve sinned, a portion of their sin was destined to be passed down from generation to generation. According to this doctrine, every generation is considered to be a carrier of the burden of Adam and Eve s sin. Jesus had to die in order to atone for their sins and those of future generations, as the individual could not atone on their own. (2) Q: Does Judaism believe that sin can be carried through the generations? Give a source for your answer. A: No, this is not a Jewish concept. As we learn in Source 1, the Torah teaches that children cannot be put to death for the sins of their parents, and vice-versa. (3) Q: Read Source 2. This source, taken from the Ten Commandments, seems to contradict our conclusion that Original Sin is not accepted in the Torah. Explain how this source remains congruent with the Torah s stance on Original Sin. A: The text should not be read Visiting the sins of parents on children, rather it should be read Remembering (or taking into account) the sins of parents on children. Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsh explains that rather than being a strict, condemnatory verse, this verse expresses a merciful aspect of God. God is stating that when a person commits a crime, He will take their background and upbringing into account when passing judgment. 4

5 (4) Q: What is Zechut Avot and how is that transmitted through the generations? A: Zechut Avot refers to the transmitted blessing or merit of our ancestors. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob accrued a certain credit through their meritorious deeds. Because their souls were concerned with the perpetuation of the Jewish people, future generations can be granted gifts based on the actions they performed that were good. (5) Q: If the Torah (Old Testament) denies the validity of Original Sin, how do the Christians view the Old Testament s place in Christianity? A: Christianity suggests that the Old Testament was only given to man to prove that it cannot be kept. As these laws are beyond man s grasp, Jesus had to be put to death to atone for the sins of man. He had to die because, according to Christianity, Original Sin imposes such a heavy burden that man cannot do it alone. If man could be saved by deed alone, that means Jesus would have died for nothing. (6) Q: According to the New Testament: It is easier for a leopard to change its spots than for a person to change his ways. What is the Torah source for the Jewish faith in our ability to change, develop and grow as human beings? A: In Genesis (Source 3), God spoke to Cain saying, Sin crouches at the door, but you can rule over it. God was telling Cain that the temptation to sin was there, but he had the ability to overcome it and choose differently. The message: You can change, you can be good, you can live according to Jewish law. Every Jew that lives according to Jewish law contradicts the Christian idea that you can t do it on your own. We each have in our hands the power to earn salvation. 5

6 The concept of Original Sin states that when Adam and Eve sinned, a portion of that sin was transmitted from generation to generation. According to Christian Theology, every generation is a carrier of the burden of sin of Adam and Eve. The Torah teaches us that Children shall not be put to death for the sins of their parents, and parents shall not be put to death for the sins of their children. From this we learn that the idea of Original Sin has no place in Judaism. Ours is a God of justice. When He teaches us not to punish one person for the sins of another, He also applies these principles in the heavenly courts. The second of the Ten Commandments seems to give credence to the idea of Original Sin within Judaism. How do we understand the verse telling us that God visits the sins of parents upon children [for] generations? The Hebrew po keid should be understood as remembering the sins of parents on children. Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsh explains that rather than being a strict, condemnatory verse, this verse expresses God s mercy. When someone commits a crime, before passing judgment God takes into account what can be expected of a person, given their education and upbringing. Our understanding of the Hebrew is crucial to gaining the true meaning of this verse. Judaism does not accept the idea of transmitted sin as expressed in the Christian concept of Original Sin. We do have the concept of transmitted blessing, known as zechut avot the merit of the fathers. Because our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were only interested in the perpetuation of the Jewish people, they accrued a certain credit. Through this credit we can receive benefits based on their achievements. 6

7 Christianity says that Original Sin imposes such a heavy burden on subsequent generations that man alone cannot atone for his sins. The Old Testament was given to prove that it cannot be kept. They believe this is why Jesus had to die man simply cannot do it on his own. Every Jew who lives by God s mitzvot and learns His Torah bears witness to the fact that it can and is possible. Indeed, we are taught in Genesis that you can rule over it [sin]. The New Testament says, It is easier for a leopard to change its spots than for a person to change his ways. Judaism is based on the concept that we can change, we can be good, and we can choose who we are through our actions. 7