Judaism & Forgiveness (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B) : Revision Note

Jewish teachings about the nature of forgiveness

Judaism and forgiveness

• Forgiveness (Selichah) is important within Judaism

• There is a focus on repairing relationships with others and with God

  • Jews are encouraged to forgive others who have wronged them, as holding onto anger is discouraged

• Genuine repentance (Teshuva) by the wrongdoer is required for forgiveness to be complete

  • These are known as the ‘steps of Teshuva’ and include acknowledging the sin, feeling remorse, asking for forgiveness, and resolving not to repeat the offence

• Forgiveness is important both between people (human forgiveness) and between God and humans (divine forgiveness)

  • Between humans: Forgiveness must be sought from the person wronged before seeking God's forgiveness

  • From God: After genuine repentance, God is seen as forgiving, particularly on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)

• Once the wrongdoer has sincerely repented and asked for forgiveness, the victim is obligated to forgive

  • If the wrongdoer does not repent, forgiveness may not be obligatory, but it is still encouraged for personal peace

• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is a special day for seeking and granting forgiveness, focusing on atoning for sins against God and others

• Forgiving others is seen as imitating God's merciful nature, a key attribute in Jewish belief

• There are many passages from the Torah relating to forgiveness which guide Jewish practice

• This verse emphasises the importance of letting go of grudges and seeking peace with others

  • Forgiveness is essential for maintaining harmony in relationships and within the community

• This passage highlights God’s merciful and forgiving nature, setting an example for humans to follow

  • Just as God forgives, people are encouraged to be compassionate and forgiving

• This verse shows Moses interceding for the Israelites

• God’s response illustrates His readiness to forgive when repentance is shown

  • It underscores the power of intercession and God’s willingness to forgive

• This reflects the Torah's teaching of God’s boundless capacity to forgive and the complete removal of sin when forgiveness is granted

  • It encourages believers to trust in God’s mercy

Forgiveness of offenders in the community

Judaism and forgiveness

• Judaism teaches that forgiveness of offenders in the community is crucial for maintaining social harmony, but it involves several key principles:

  • Offenders must sincerely repent for their actions to be forgiven by those they have wronged

    • This includes acknowledging the wrongdoing, feeling genuine remorse, asking for forgiveness, and committing to not repeat the offense

  • If the offender sincerely repents and seeks forgiveness, the victim is generally obligated to forgive them to help restore peace within the community

    • Even without full repentance, Judaism encourages individuals to forgive offenders for their own emotional and spiritual well-being, though it is not strictly required

  • Forgiving offenders is seen as a way to mend broken relationships and promote unity within the community

    • Forgiveness helps prevent lingering resentment and ongoing conflict, fostering a healthier social environment

• While individuals are responsible for forgiving personal wrongs, ultimate forgiveness of sins, especially those against God, is believed to be granted by God after sincere repentance

•  In cases of severe harm, the process of forgiveness may be more complex

  • The community may impose legal consequences, alongside seeking spiritual and emotional healing

• Once forgiven, offenders are encouraged to reintegrate into the community, demonstrating their commitment to change and to contributing positively

• Judaism teaches that forgiveness is an important virtue, balancing the need for justice with the values of compassion and reconciliation within the community

Jewish teachings on the nature of restorative justice

What is restorative justice?

• Restorative justice is an approach to justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviour through cooperative processes with everyone involved

• The focus is on:

  • accountability

  • making amends,

  • fostering healing for both victims and offenders

• The primary aim is to address the damage caused by the offence, focusing on the needs of the:

  • victims

  • community

  • offender

• Offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and understand the impact of their behaviour on others

• Restorative justice involves victims, offenders, and community members to collaboratively decide on how to repair the harm and prevent future offences

• All parties participate voluntarily, ensuring that the process is fair and consensual

• The process aims to reintegrate offenders into the community, helping them to make positive contributions and reduce the likelihood of reoffending

• There are different forms of restorative justice

  • Mediation: Direct dialogue between victims and offenders

  • Conferencing: Involves victims, offenders, their supporters, and community members

  • Restitution: Offenders provide compensation or service to the victims or community

Jewish teachings on the nature of restorative justice

• Jewish teachings on the nature of restorative justice align closely with its focus on:

  • repairing harm

  • seeking reconciliation

  • fostering community harmony

• Judaism recognises the importance of offenders taking responsibility for their actions through the process of Teshuva

• There are certain stages or steps of Teshuva that offenders must complete

  • Recognise and admit their wrongdoing

  • Feel genuine remorse

  • Ask for forgiveness from the victim

  • Resolve to avoid repeating the offence

• This personal accountability mirrors the restorative justice process of acknowledging harm and seeking to repair it

• Jewish law (Halakhah) emphasises not just punishing offenders but ensuring fairness and repairing the harm done to victims

• In cases like theft or property damage, offenders are required to compensate victims directly (for example, Exodus 22:1, which outlines the nature of compensation for someone who steals cattle)

  • This reflects restorative justice's focus on restitution rather than retribution

• Judaism values community harmony and encourages resolving conflicts in ways that restore relationships and maintain peace

  • Courts in Jewish tradition often sought to mediate disputes and reconcile parties, reflecting restorative justice's collaborative approach

• Forgiveness is an important part of the restorative process

  • Victims are encouraged to forgive offenders who sincerely repent, fostering healing and reconciliation

• Jewish teachings stress the need for justice but temper it with mercy and compassion, aligning with restorative justice principles

• Biblical laws, such as ‘an eye for an eye’ (Exodus 21:24), are interpreted in the Talmud to mean monetary compensation, focusing on restoration rather than vengeance

• On Yom Kippur, individuals are required to ask for forgiveness from those they have harmed before seeking atonement from God

  • This prioritises reconciliation between individuals and aligns with restorative justice's victim-centred approach

• Once offenders have repented and made amends, they are encouraged to reintegrate into the community, reflecting restorative justice's emphasis on moving forward positively