Does Intent Matter?
A Talmudic Debate At The Heart Of Today's Culture War
The sages of the Talmud famously debate whether “commandments require intentionality” (mitzvot tzrichot kavannah). The short answer is that some commandments require intentionality, while others don’t. I must intend to fulfill the commandment of hearing shofar to fulfill my obligation to hear shofar. If I simply listen to the shofar on Rosh Hashana beca…
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