Question
Apart from those who cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand as per Jonah 4:11, (such may include children who have not reached the age of reason and accountability, mentally retarded, handicapped and the like) is it possible for a normal human who is above the age of accountability to ALWAYS obey ALL of God’s commandments when it really matters which is a belief in Christianity in particular the Roman Catholic Church? Is this true in Judaism that there are some people who always said no to sin in their life when it really mattered?
Thank You!
Answer
Only God, and not man, is perfect. Accordingly, only Christians who believe that man can be “god” can believe that a man can be impeccable. Judaism believes that “there is no person who doesn’t make mistakes” (Chron. II, 6, 36), but the challenge is to truly repent, and make sure you don’t make the same mistake next time. I have met many truly great people who apparently choose good “when it really matters”, but even they can always improve. The world is based on constant evolution, constant improvement, for the individual and for all mankind. Rav Kook writes that perfection for man is: the striving for perfection.
All the best!
