Religious Jews: Leave Town, Wear a Disguise, and Sin Like Crazy

by David Sims

THE TALMUD, in Moed Katan 17a, gives advice to Jews who are tempted to sin:

The Gemara asks: What is the reason that he was accepted there? The Gemara answers: Even though he sinned, he still acted in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Ilai, as it is taught in a baraita.

Rabbi Ilai says: If a person sees that his evil inclination is gaining control over him and he cannot overcome it, then he should go to a place where he is not known. He should wear black, and he should wrap his head in black, as if he were a mourner. Perhaps these changes will influence him, so that he will not sin. Even if these actions do not help, he should at least do as his heart desires in private and not desecrate the name of Heaven in public.

Although this person had sinned, he did so in private and in a manner that did not publicly desecrate God’s name, and therefore it was fitting that he be given an honorable burial.

(Along with the Torah, — which Christians call the “Old Testament” — on which it is a commentary, the Talmud is one of the “holy books” of Judaism.)

Someone has conveniently paraphrased the above Talmud verses for us in clearer English, with no significant loss of their essential meaning:

When a Jew is tempted to sin, he should go to a place where he is not known, dress in such a way that he will not be suspected to be a Jew, and then do his sinning under those circumstances. It might not be ideal, but it isn’t a great wrong, either (when a Jew does it).

Feel an urge to kill somebody? No problem! Just go to a place where nobody knows you, dress like a mourner, and then your murder spree won’t be such a big deal or make Jews look as bad as they really are. The same advice would apply to Jewish rapists, thieves, pedophiles, and thugs of all kinds. Just don’t get caught!

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