that it turns on a light) is somewhat liable. But a person who cannot control him/herself and prevent the behavior due to a physical or mental illness or disability is not considered to be liable. Health For example, a severely intellectually disabled person who cannot possibly comprehend Torah law is not liable to keep the mitzvot. A person with dementia who picks up and eats non-kosher food has not transgressed a commandment because his/her mind could not recognize that such food is not permitted. A person who suddenly falls due to a medical condition out of his/her control, and while falling, causes a light to get turned on has not violated Shabbat. Lack of awareness of Jewish identity A person who is Jewish, but is not raised as Jewish, and is unaware that they are Jewish is not held liable for following Jewish law. If such a person learns during their lifetime that they are Jewish, they are not expected to immediately begin following Jewish law. Only if they learn proper Jewish law and have accepted it upon themself are they, from that moment on, responsible for their actions under the laws of the Torah. Atonement Depending on the type of the aveira, the requirement for atonement varies. For an aveira toward God, atonement is made by seriously repenting to God on Yom Kippur. For an aveira against a fellow man, God does not grant forgiveness unless the victim forgives the sinner first. For aveirot against God, whether or not God is willing to grant forgiveness depends on the seriousness of the repentance, which depends upon the sinner's willingness to change his behavior in the future. For an aveira that is committed intentionally, knowing at the time that the action was an aveira, achieving forgiveness is hardest. God may be willing to forgive if the sinner was acting rebelliously at the time but has since decided to repent for the rebellious behavior, or if the sinner acted on an uncontrolled impulse, but has since learned to control his behavior. If the aveira was committed through a lack of knowledge, God is willing to forgive if the sinner willingly learns the appropriate law and commits himself to not violating that law again. If the aveira is committed by accident, such as accidentally watering a plant on Shabbat, God is willing to forgive the repentant sinner. The sinner should take appropriate action