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For example you accidentally light a fire on Shabbat, I assume this counts as unintentional. If you light a fire thinking it is a rabbinic prohibition, does this count as unintentional?

In a more general sense, if you perform an aveira believing the punishment to be less severe than it is, could this be called unintentional?

Finnegan
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  • https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8_%D7%A9%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95_%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%95%D7%9F https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%A2%D7%A1%D7%A7 https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%92%D7%92 – Alex Dec 29 '20 at 03:32
  • Chapter 7 of Masechet Shabbat. – Alex Dec 29 '20 at 03:38

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Rambam in Hilchot Shegagot 2:2 rules that even if one knew that something was a biblical prohibition, but was unaware that the punishment incurred is karet, it is classified as a shegagah and he brings a chatat.

I surmise that the same would be true in your case of an individual believing the prohibition is rabbinic; it would also be classified as a shegagah and he would bring a chatat.

Joel K
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