Q&A: The Severity of the Sin of Wasting Seed and Its Repair
The Severity of the Sin of Wasting Seed and Its Repair
Question
A. In various sources there is discussion of the great difficulty of achieving atonement for the sin of wasting seed, with the Zohar going so far as to say that repentance is of no help (even though many have said this is not to be taken literally). Does the Rabbi believe that the severity of this sin is indeed so great, and that atonement for it is so difficult?
B. Beyond repentance (regret, confession, resolving for the future), some suggest various ways to try to repair the sin: fasts, different commitments to Torah study, Psalms (such as the General Remedy), and so on. What does the Rabbi think about these methods? Does the Rabbi recommend any one or several of them?
Answer
I think this should be approached in a cold halakhic way, without all the taboos that accompany it. From a halakhic standpoint this is not such a severe sin, and according to some halakhic decisors it is rabbinic. Still, when one commits a transgression, it is proper to repent. Certainly not the General Remedy and the rest of that nonsense. In my opinion, even Psalms are not really worth much. It is quality Torah-study neglect, unless it somehow brings you closer to the Holy One, blessed be He. Take on some additional study beyond your usual amount, or charity beyond what you normally give, as your heart moves you and according to your ability. Repentance includes four stages: abandoning the sin, regret, resolution for the future, and verbal confession.
Discussion on Answer
Hello Rabbi, in a case where it is very likely that I will repeat the sin, should I still make a resolution for the future? And if not, should I still do the other parts of repentance? Thank you very much.
Repentance does not depend on a factual assessment of what will happen in the future, but on a present desire not to sin again.
Thank you very much.
You wrote there, "the General Remedy and the rest of that nonsense"—what is that supposed to mean?
More power to the Rabbi.
And all the blame is on the ignoramuses who don't know right from wrong—who, as usual ever since the world was created, fail to understand this and then say things they shouldn't, causing many people to despair of doing good and of repentance.