Punishment Under/Over 20 Years Old
Question
Does a person only get punished for their sins after the age of 20
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
We are taught, that as a general rule, a person is only punished from Heaven (like Ka'ret) for sins committed after the age of 20 but he can be punished by the Beit Din for sins committed after the age of Bar Mitzvah. This is the mainstream understanding of the matter.
The Chacham Tzvi, however, has a famous essay (Teshuva #49) where he discusses this issue in greater details with further answers and teachings on this issue. Here is some of what he says:
1. It was only before the giving of the Torah that punishment started at 20, after the giving of the Torah it starts at 13.
2. The Heavenly Court doesn't always punish for crimes committed under 20 but it is possible in certain cases.
3. The Heavenly Court doesn't punish people in this world for sins committed under 20 years old but they are punished for all sins committed after turning 13 in heaven after death.
4. The Heavenly Court waits until one is 20 to see if one repented for the sins one committed earlier. If a person does not repent once reaching 20 one is punished for all earlier sins.
There are other teachings on the matter, as well.