Yoma 86b

יומא פ״ו ע״ב

Learn Yoma 86b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

The power of תשובה, how to confess (וידוי), and when sins should be revealed or covered

Overview

The גמרא opens with a series of 'גדולה תשובה' sayings. Each one shows a different power of תשובה: it overrides a לא תעשה, brings the גאולה closer, turns sins into שגגות or even זכיות (depending on whether it comes מאהבה or מיראה), lengthens life, and, through one person's תשובה, brings forgiveness to the whole world. רבה בר מרי contrasts people, who may not forgive even after words, with ה׳, who accepts words of תשובה and values them like a voluntary קרבן. רב יהודה defines a complete בעל תשובה as one who faces the same temptation again and holds back. The גמרא then discusses when a sin should be made public and when it should stay covered. It also teaches that a repeated sin is easily forgiven only three times. Next comes a debate over whether to re-confess on a later יום הכיפורים sins already forgiven, and whether one must spell out the sin, with משה and דוד as examples of the two approaches. The עמוד ends with warnings about the comfort of רשעים and the dangers of authority, illustrated by what רב said on his way to judge. רבא's parallel saying begins at the end and continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (39)

1. StatementRepentance overrides a Torah prohibition
2. StatementRepentance brings the redemption closer
3. StatementRepentance turns intentional sins into accidental ones
4. Challengeריש לקיש elsewhere says sins become merits
5. ResolutionRepentance from love versus repentance from fear
6. StatementRepentance lengthens a person's life
7. StatementPeople may not forgive an insult, and words may not be enough
8. Statementה׳ forgives a private sin with words alone
9. Statementה׳ treats תשובה as a favor and as if bulls were offered
10. ProofThe bulls count as a voluntary offering, not a required one
11. StatementOne person's תשובה brings forgiveness to the whole world
12. QuestionWhat counts as a true בעל תשובה?
13. ResponseFacing the same temptation and holding back
14. ChallengeTwo verses clash: should a sin be covered or not?
15. ResolutionAnswer one: it depends whether the sin is already public
16. ResolutionAnswer two: sins against people versus sins against ה׳
17. StatementForgiven three times, but not a fourth
18. QuestionWhy was a second verse needed?
19. ResponseThe second verse shows the rule applies to one person too
20. StatementDo not confess again sins already confessed last יום הכיפורים
21. StatementIf he did the sin again, he must confess again
22. StatementConfessing again for no reason is like a dog returning to its vomit
23. StatementConfessing old sins again is praiseworthy
24. ChallengeWhat about the dog-and-vomit verse?
25. ResolutionThe verse refers to repeating the sin itself
26. ChallengeCan a sin really become permitted?
27. ResolutionIt feels permitted to him
28. StatementOne must spell out the sin
29. StatementSins should stay covered
30. ChallengeBut משה did name the sin
31. Resolutionמשה was giving an excuse, not a confession
32. Statementמשה wanted his sin written; דוד did not
33. StatementParable of the two women being lashed
34. StatementHypocrites must be exposed to prevent desecration of ה׳'s name
35. StatementRepentance of the completely wicked holds back punishment even after a sealed decree
36. StatementThe calm comfort of the wicked ends in their downfall
37. StatementAuthority buries the one who holds it
38. StatementWhat רב said to himself on the way to judge
39. StatementIntroducing what רבא said on the way to judge