[Avodah] WHAT DOES KAPARAH ACCOMPLISH?

[David Riceman]

RZL:

> 
> 
>> From the fact that in the last case kaparah comes only after one's death,
> we can see that the Rambam's definition of kaparah is not release from
> hardships in this world, but release from punishment in the Afterlife.
> 
> 
Here's an alternative.  Sins, and especially public sins, have negative repercussions as precedents.  "Do you remember when Ploni Almoni got drunk on Shabbos, stole a motorcycle, and went on a joy ride?" As long as people are still talking about it -- and with some envy or admiration -- Ploni has an obligation to the public to make sure they know he's still doing tshuva.

David Riceman