A controversial thought from the holy Reb Tzadok of Lublin on selling mitzvot and sins and the difference between Jew and gentile:[1]
When a Jew sins, the individual does not make an intrinsic acquisition of the sin, but rather an extrinsic one. It is for this reason that a person can redeem their sins, as expressed in the verse (Tehillim 130:8), “And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.”
This is similar to the idea that according to Jewish law, regarding certain consecrated items—whose holiness is defined in their monetary value—one can transfer their holiness onto another object.[2]
So too Israel’s sins can be transferred to another as the verse (Yeshayahu 43:4) intimates in its statement “I give men in your stead and nations instead of your life.” Instead of the sin being considered the sin of Israel, it is considered another’s sins.
This is expressed in the verse (Vayikra 16:22) concerning the scapegoat that was killed on Yom Kippur: “The he goat (Se-ir) shall thus carry upon itself all their sins.” The Midrash (Bereishit Rabba 65) explains this to mean that all the sins are carried by Esav who is called Se-ir.
This is all true concerning sins, which are considered as extrinsic connections and similar to the concept of consecrated items connected to monetary value. However, regarding an individual’s mitzvot, one can never redeem or sell their merits. This is expressed in the verse (Shir HaShirim 8:7), “Were a man to offer all the treasure of his home to entice you away from your love, they would scorn him to extreme.”
This is explained in responsa literature,[3] that it is for this reason that one cannot sell the merit that they have in a mitzvah. However, one can indeed sell their sins, with another nation taking their place.
One can see this idea expressed in the Talmud’s (Yevamot 63a) statement: “R. Eleazar ben Abina said: Punishment comes into the world only on Israel’s account.” For, when Israel sins, the nations absorb some of their punishment. However, the reward that is hidden for Israel, the nations have no portion in.
However, by Gentiles, it is the reverse from the above. Their sins are considered an intrinsic acquisition and cannot be redeemed, but their good can be redeemed. Indeed, it is for this reason that the Jews went into exile—to absorb the good of the nations.
[1] Tzidkat HaTzadik#75. Removed in many censored editions.
[2] Talmud, Nedarim 29a.
[3] Shut Maharam Alashkar, Sec. 101.
