And Catholicism teaches that there is a category called “ mortal sins,” which cut off sinners from God’s grace unless they repent. The New Testament describes blaspheming against the Holy Spirit as an unforgivable sin. But they tend to teach that more sins should be forgiven – and can be, by God, because Jesus’ death atoned vicariously for people’s sins.Įven in Christianity, not all offenses are forgivable. In psychological research, I have found that most Jewish and Christian participants endorse the views of forgiveness espoused by their religions.Īs in Judaism, most Christian teachings encourage people to ask and give forgiveness for harms done to one another. Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images To forgive or not to forgive? Thousands of Jewish pilgrims attend penitential prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem ahead of the Jewish High Holiday of Rosh Hashana. It also means that some offenses, such as the Holocaust, can never be forgiven, because those martyred are dead and unable to forgive. The teaching that only a victim can forgive someone implies that God cannot forgive offenses between people until the relevant people have forgiven each other. Observant Jews reach out to friends and family they have wronged over the past year so that they can enter Yom Kippur services with a clean conscience and hope they have done all they can to mitigate God’s judgment. The 10-day period known as the “Days of Awe” – Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and the days between – is a popular time for forgiveness. If the victim still withholds forgiveness, the offender is considered forgiven, and the victim now shares the blame. Someone who has hurt another person must sincerely apologize three times. In Jewish theology, only the victim has the right to forgive an offense against another person, and an offender should repent toward the victim before forgiveness can take place. Several specific attitudes about forgiveness are reflected in the liturgy of the Jewish High Holidays, so those who go to services are likely to be aware of them – even if they skip out for a snack. As a psychologist of religion, I have done research on these similarities and differences when it comes to forgiveness. What’s more, research has shown that it is psychologically beneficial.īut each religious tradition has its own particular views about forgiveness, as well, including Judaism. Congregations recite a prayer called the “Unetanah Tokef,” which recalls God’s power to decide “who shall live and who shall die, who shall reach the ends of his days and who shall not” – an ancient text that Leonard Cohen popularized with his song “ Who by Fire.”įorgiveness and related concepts, such as compassion, are central virtues in many religions. According to Jewish tradition, it is at the end of this solemn period that God seals his decision about each person’s fate for the coming year. Jews pray and fast on Yom Kippur to demonstrate their remorse and to focus on reconciliation. Traditionally, Jews view the holidays as a chance to reflect on our shortcomings, make amends and seek forgiveness, both from other people and from the Almighty. The Jewish High Holidays include Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
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