daf bit: K'ritot 24

[cellio]

The mishna teaches: if a person brings a suspensive guilt-offering (brought in a case where there is doubt about whether he sinned) and then learns that he did not sin, if the animal has not yet been slaughtered then Rabbi Meir says it can go out to pasture (that it, is returns to its unconcescrated state). The sages, however, say that it is put out to pasture until it acquires a blemish (making it unfit for the altar) and then it is sold, with the proceeds going to the temple. R. Eliezer says it is still offered, if not for this sin then for another. The g'mara tries to reconcile the positions of R. Meir and the rabbis, raising additional considerations. One is: was the man so troubled that his conscience compelled him to make a binding resolution? Another: did the doubt arise from witnesses who might turn out to be false, so the person himself was never unsure, only the community? These factors matter, the g'mara says. (23b mishna, 24a g'mara)

I wonder if R. Eliezer had young children when he taught this: ok, you didn't sin that sin, but surely you've done something you need to atone for!

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/merle_/]

Hmm. I find I would agree given the three arguments with R. Eliezer. If you have decided you are guilty and make an offering than it is made, and second-guessing after the fact seems uncool (likely not the word they would use). Now, one might argue from a legal sort of standpoint that it may ameliorate a future suspected sin, much as time already served counts towards your prison sentence. Not sure about that; it feels logical but very shaky ground.

I totally grew up in the wrong religion. You'd never find Methodists debating anything vaguely more interesting than what people are bringing to the next potluck.

[cellio]

I totally grew up in the wrong religion. You'd never find Methodists debating anything vaguely more interesting than what people are bringing to the next potluck.

Hey, casseroles must be important, in some ritual fashion that eludes me. :-)