Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 23:58:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Origins of Evil

QUESTION: Doesn't man have to sin? Isn't that the curse of Adam? Isn't
lack of sin a messianic Goal?

ANSWER:
This entire topic (does Judaism believe that man must sin) was discussed
about a year or two ago over 20-40 issues of Torah forum. This is available
on the archives. Let me summarize this very beautiful discussion with some
salient points:

There are many commandments that are hard to always do but they CAN be
observed if one adheres to the minimum standards ( eg studying Torah,
honoring ones parents, charity, Shabbath etc).

According to the Talmud there were 4 people who did not sin (Jesse, Amram..)

Finally we analyzed difficult verses like Eccl 7:20-21 (see Rashi <  WHEN
(KI) there are no men (ADAM) in the land that do not sin THEN at such a
time don't pay attention to curses>

I therefore stand by my original claim: It is a Christian position to say
that man must sin; Judaism believes in the possibility of avoiding sin

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA; RHendel@Towson.Edu
Moderator Rashi is Simple; http://www.shamash.org/rashi/