אור החיים במדבר פרק יא (י)
שכל עושה רשעה לצד תגבורת הפיתוי ועריבות האיסור יש לדון בו צד האונס
Everyone who sins because they are overcome by seduction and desire for pleasure should be judged to some extent as (though they had been) compelled (i.e. forced to sin). [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek. Edited for gender neutrality and clarity]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why do people sin?
2. Should a person who sins because they are overcome by seduction and desire for pleasure receive a lesser punishment than one who sinned for another reason?
3. In what ways do we sin in an effort to satisfy our desires? How can we change our behavior to conduct ourselves more ethically?
Time Period: Modern (Spinoza through post-WWII)