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Why does Rashi (רש"י) say divine punishment begins at age 20 in one place but age 100 in another? The shiur distinguishes between taavah (desire-driven sin) and meredah (rebellion against God's authority). Before age 20, defiance stems from identity formation and insecurity rather than mature rejection of divine authority, so true meredah isn't possible until psychological maturity develops.
This shiur examines a seemingly contradictory Rashi (רש"י) regarding the age at which divine punishment (onshin) begins. In Parshas Chayei Sarah, Rashi states that Sarah remained equally righteous throughout her life, comparing her at age 20 to age 100, noting that at 20 one is not yet subject to divine punishment. However, in Parshas Bereishis regarding Noach, Rashi indicates that divine punishment begins at age 100, not 20, and this was the standard until Matan Torah (תורה). The resolution lies in understanding two distinct aspects of sin: taavah (desire-driven transgression) and meredah (rebellion against divine authority). Every sin contains elements of both personal desire and rejection of God's authority. The key insight is that until age 20, a person lacks the capacity for true meredah due to psychological immaturity and identity formation.
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Parshas Chayei Sarah - Bereishis 23:1, Parshas Bereishis 5:32
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