Daf Yomi - Yoma 86 - Reuven's Admission

Daf Yomi - Yoma 86 - Reuven's Admission

The Gemara states that one should not reveal a sin that he committed in private. Rashi explains that one who reveals a sin that he committed in private is minimizing the glory of HaShem. The Gemara in Sota 7b wonders if one should not reveal a sin that he committed in private, how could Reuven have admitted that he was the one who switched the bed of Yaakov. The Gemara answers that Reuven’s justification for revealing his sin was because he sought to ensure that Yaakov would not suspect any of the other brothers. The Minchas Chinuch (mitzvah 364) questions Reuven’s approach, because when one publicizes his sin, he is diminishing HaShem’s glory. Certainly the desire to alleviate suspicion from the brothers did not override the glory of HaShem. Shemuas Chaim notes that Rashi in Sota offers a different explanation for the teaching that one should not reveal the sins that he committed in private. Rashi to Sota writes that one should not reveal his sins as it would then appear that he is not ashamed of his actions. Regarding the incident where Reuven switched the beds, Yaakov knew that someone had changed the beds, but he did not know that it was Reuven who had performed the act. Reuven’s admission would not have diminished HaShem’s glory, because both Yaakov and Reuven were aware that a sin was committed and HaShem’s glory had already been diminished. The Gemara only discusses the issue of Reuven revealing his sin, as his admission would demonstrate that he was not ashamed of his actions. In response to that question, the Gemara answers that Reuven maintained that it was more important for him to reveal that he had sinned than for Yaakov to suspect his brothers.