Friday, February 16, 2018

theology - Am I supposed to Ignore Most Non-Religious Jews?


Most of this question comes from Moznaim Rambam Mishneh Torah Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 2:5


In Hilchos Teshuva it says.


"Five individuals are described as minnim:


a) one who says there is no God or ruler of the world; b) one who accepts the concept of a ruler, but maintains that there are two or more c) one who accepts that there is one Master [of the world], but maintains that He has a body or form; d) one who maintains that He was not the sole First Being and Creator of all exstence;...


Look at this question which says more things about how one becomes a min. How does one become a Min?



Qoute from Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 2:5 from mechon-mamre about what happens to a min וְכֵן הַמִּינִים מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, אֵינָן כְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לְדָבָר מִן הַדְּבָרִים. וְאֵין מְקַבְּלִין אוֹתָן בִּתְשׁוּבָה, לְעוֹלָם--שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר "כָּל-בָּאֶיהָ, לֹא יְשׁוּבוּן; וְלֹא-יַשִּׂיגוּ, אָרְחוֹת חַיִּים" (משלי ב,יט). Similarly, Jewish minnim are not considered to be Jews with regard to any matter. Their repentance should never be accepted, as [implied by Proverbs 2:19]: "None that go to her repent, nor will they regain the paths of life."


(the notes in the Moznaim Rambam says:)


"Their acceptance should never be accepted" The commentaries have pointed out a contradiction between these statements and the Rambam's statements in Hilchos Teshuva 3:14: "When does the statement that these individuals do not have a portion in the world to come apply? When they die without having repented. However, if such a person repents from his wicked deeds and dies as a Baal-Teshuvah, he will merit the world to come, for nothing can stand in the way of Teshuvah. Even if he denies God's existence throughout his life and repents in his final moments, he merits a portion in the world to come as implied by [Isaiah 57:19] "Peace, peace, to the distant and the near,' declares God.I will heal him.'"


Any wicked person, apostate, or the like, who repents, whether in an open, revealed manner or in private, will be accepted as implied by [Jeremiah 3:22] "Return, faithless children." [We may infer] that even if one is still faithless, as obvious from the fact that he repents in private and not in public, his Teshuvah will be accepted."


this apparent contradiction was brought to the Rambam's attention during his lifetime. In one of his Responsa (101) he resolved the issue by explaining that his statements in Hilchos Havodas Kochavim refer to the attitude which should be adopted by the Jewish People. They should NEVER regard such an individual as a Baal-Teshuvah, because it is possible he is merely feigning repentance in order to gain public acceptance.


In contrast, in Hilchos Teshuvah, the Rambam is referring to the acceptance by God, sees the true feeling of every individual. If his repentance is sincere, regardless of the severity of his previous sins, God will accept him. (Note also the commentary of the Lechem Mishneh and the Responsa of the Radbaz, Vol. V, 1518, which offer similar explanations.)


Proverbs 2:19]: "None that go to her repent, nor will they regain the paths of life."


Avoda zarah 17a questions: Since they will never "Repent" how could they be expected to "regain the paths of life"? The Talmud answers: "Even after they repent, they will not "Regain the path of life"... - i.e they will die


וְאָסוּר לְסַפַּר עִמָּהֶן וּלְהָשִׁיב עֲלֵיהֶן תְּשׁוּבָה כְּלָל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמָר "אַל-תִּקְרַב, אֶל-פֶּתַח בֵּיתָהּ" It is forbidden to talk to them or to reply to them at all, as [Proverbs 5:8] states: "Do not come close to her door."


And quoting Matt in one of his comments in the question I mentioned above:



"Hilchos Mamrim 3:1 two important ones: 1. they aren't included among the Jewish people, so any halakha that requires a Jew cannot be done by such a person, and 2. they should be killed (remember, this site isn't meant for practical advice- please don't kill anyone. The Chazon Ish and other say that second halakha no longer applies"


So my question is:




  1. Most non-religious people either do not believe in (look above: Hilchos Teshuva) a) That there is a God b) one who maintains that He was not the sole First Being and Creator of all exstencene c) does not believe in Techias Hamasim. So if I ask any Jewish guy do you believe in God? (or any of the other 2 questions) and he responds No then am I supposed to "It is forbidden to talk to them or to reply to them at all, as [Proverbs 5:8] states: "Do not come close to her door." And "1. they aren't included among the Jewish people, so any halakha that requires a Jew cannot be done by such a person"




  2. According to Rambam's Responsa (See above) then there is no such thing as a Baal-Teshuva correct? What about all those people who are baal teshuva should we never talk to them and "Do not come close to her door?





onewho accepts that there is one Master [of the world], but maintains that He has a body or form; d) one who maintains that He was not the sole First Being and Creator of all exstence




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