In our last post, a reader asked about a tradition that Sabbath observance causes one's sins, even idol worship, to be absolved. This would appear to be the straightforward reading of the Talmud in Tractate Shabath 118B (see previous post). This raised the following difficulties:
Doesn't such an idea run counter to simple intuition? How can one guilty of what seems the greatest defection from G-d be forgiven by virtue of his observance of another precept? What does one have to do with the other? Does this mean one can abrogate whatever laws one pleases and then simply observe the Sabbath and be absolved of sin? What about teshuvah (repentance)?
A reader, "Poppazoppa," wrote:
"Since observing the Shabbat is considered 'THE SIGN' which identifies a worshipper of Ha-Shem, perhaps sabbath observance completely negates idol-worship. Mathematically, (-1) plus (+1) = 0. So there is no sin. But again, intuitively, this seems wrong. Perhaps, also, the absolution applies only to idol-worship."
"Poppazoppa" refers to the reference in the Torah to the Sabbath as a "sign" between HaShem and his people, as in Shemoth 31:12-17:
"HaShem said to Mosheh, saying: 'Speak you to the Children of Israel, saying, 'Only shall you observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you, for all generations, to know that I am HaShem Who sanctifies you. You shall observe the Sabbath, for it is holy for you. Its desecrators shall be put to death, for any who perform labor on [the Sabbath], that soul shall be excised from the midst of its peoples. Six days shall you perform labor, and on the seventh day [shall be] a Sabbath of complete cessation, holy unto HaShem. Any who perform labor on the Sabbath day shall be put to death.' The Children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, making the Sabbath for all generations an eternal covenant. Between Me and the Children of Israel it is a sign forever that in six days HaShem made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he ceased and rested.'"
The Sabbath does indeed appear to be a sign, through its observance, that Israel recognizes HaShem as G-d and Creator. Is this recognition enough to counteract one's act of idolatry? Is the Sabbath a recognition of HaShem's exclusivity as G-d? And what about sins other than idolatry? Can one mitzvah act as an "antidote" for another transgression? While Poppazoppa's suggestion is certainly a good beginning, as Poppazoppa pointed out, many questions still remain.
With a bit of research, I have uncovered a number of fascinating approaches to this concept which I plan to share (G-d willing) in upcoming posts.
[NOTE: I haven't yet published PART III of this series of articles out of a suspicion that no one is reading it anyway. If there is a specific request for publication of the resolution, I will (G-d willing) oblige.]
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