חדש באתר: עוזר בינה מלאכותית המבוסס על כתביו ושיעוריו של הרב מיכאל אברהם

Q&A: Definition of a Wicked Person

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Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.

Definition of a Wicked Person

Question

Have a good week. What is the halakhic definition of a wicked person? Is a secular person considered wicked, and why?

Answer

It depends for what purpose. In the laws of disqualification from testimony, the Talmud derives that a wicked person is someone liable to lashes (or more). Someone who violated a prohibition that does not incur lashes is not disqualified from testimony as a wicked person.
A secular person is a broad label that includes many kinds of people. Someone who does not believe is not wicked, but rather coerced by his understanding. Someone who does not observe the commandments despite understanding that they are binding is wicked.

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