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How does judasism understand forgiveness, repentance, and justice - Aussie_Guy - 09-12-2026
Hi everyone,
I’m Roman Catholic, and recently I’ve been thinking quite a bit about forgiveness, repentance, and justice. Where in my faith it is expected, whether repentance is offered by the one that has done the harm.
I’m interested in understanding how Judaism approaches forgiveness when someone has seriously harmed another person. Is forgiveness expected in all circumstances, or does it depend on whether the person who caused the harm has genuinely repented and made an effort to make amends? I have not read the Torah.
For example, imagine a family member who lost someone in the Bondi massacre that happened in my country last year. How would Judaism understand the question of forgiveness in a situation like that? So how does Judaism approach situations where the harm is so serious that restitution or reconciliation may be impossible—for example, murder, where the victim is no longer alive to personally forgive the offender.
Simon Wiesenthal explores a similar dilemma in his book The Sunflower. It’s a book I would like to read, although I suspect it may make my own questions and struggles around forgiveness, repentance, and justice even more difficult.
I’m asking this purely out of a desire to understand the Jewish perspective, rather than to compare or debate religions.
Cheer,
Paul
RE: How does judasism understand forgiveness, repentance, and justice - searchinmyroots - 09-14-2026
Hello Aussie Guy and welcome to the forum, thanks for joining us!
And thank you for your very good question regarding forgiveness.
I think Judaism may present several answers but I want to look deeper into this before I mention them.
There may be others here who chime in on this but just so you know, it is the High Holidays for us so you may not see any replies until after.
RE: How does judasism understand forgiveness, repentance, and justice - RabbiO - 09-14-2026
(09-12-2026, 09:20 AM)Aussie_Guy Wrote: I’m interested in understanding how Judaism approaches forgiveness when someone has seriously harmed another person. Is forgiveness expected in all circumstances, or does it depend on whether the person who caused the harm has genuinely repented and made an effort to make amends? I have not read the Torah.
Simon Wiesenthal explores a similar dilemma in his book The Sunflower. It’s a book I would like to read, although I suspect it may make my own questions and struggles around forgiveness, repentance, and justice even more difficult.
I’m asking this purely out of a desire to understand the Jewish perspective, rather than to compare or debate religions.
Paul
The Torah - Genesis through Deuteronomy - is part of your bible. you ought to consider reading it. If you cite to The Sunflower you really should read it first.
Let's deal with your questions a bit at a time.
To begin Judaism often does not speak with one voice. This is such an instance. Nevertheless, I need to point out that the predominant view is that forgiveness can only be extended by the victim of an offense. A dead victim, whether as a direct consequence of the offense or the result simply of the passage of time since the offense, cannot offer forgiveness to the perpetrator.
Questions so far?
RE: How does judasism understand forgiveness, repentance, and justice - BlueBird2 - 09-15-2026
(09-12-2026, 09:20 AM)Aussie_Guy Wrote: Simon Wiesenthal explores a similar dilemma in his book The Sunflower. It’s a book I would like to read, although I suspect it may make my own questions and struggles around forgiveness, repentance, and justice even more difficult.
Thank you for this book recommendation. I find the situation described under this title surreal and it feels wrong. How could Wiesenthal forgive the man for the crimes he committed against other people? God can forgive if asked to do so, or a person who was directly harmed by that individual. (my personal opinion)
One of the contributors, Albert Speer, is a liar and profiteur who secretly sold stolen assets after the war. Yet he painted a beautiful and innocent picture of himself in his books and articles.