Repentance is one element ofatoning for sin in Judaism. Judaism recognizes that everybody sins on occasion, but that people can stop or minimize those occasions in the future by repenting for past transgressions. Thus, the primary purpose of repentance in Judaism is ethical self transformation. A Jewish penitent is traditionally known as a baal teshuva . An alternative modern term is hozer beteshuva . "In a place where baalei teshuva stand", according to halakha, "even the full-fledged righteous do not stand."
One should repent immediately. A parable is told in the Talmud that Rabbi Eliezer taught his disciples, "Repent one day before your death." The disciples politely questioned whether one can know the day of one's death, so Rabbi Eliezer answered, "All the more reason, therefore, to repent today, lest one die tomorrow." Because of Judaism's understanding of the annual process of Divine Judgment, Jews believe that God is especially open to repentance during period from the beginning of the month of Ellul through the High Holiday season, i. e., Rosh HaShanah, Aseret Yimei Teshuva, Yom Kippur, and, according to Kabbalah, Hoshana Rabbah. Another good time to repent is toward the end of one's life.
How to repent
Numerous guides to the repentance process can be found in rabbinical literature. See especially Maimonides' Rules of Repentance in the Mishneh Torah. According to Gates of Repentance, a standard work of Jewish ethics written by Rabbenu Yonah of Gerona, a sinner repents by:
regretting/acknowledging the sin;
forsaking the sin ;
worrying about the future consequences of the sin;
refraining from committing the same sin if the opportunity presents itself again;
teaching others not to sin.
Forsaking the sin
The second of Rabbenu Yonah's "Principles of Repentance" is "forsaking the sin". After regretting the sin, the penitent must resolve never to repeat the sin. However, Judaism recognizes that the process of repentance varies from penitent to penitent and from sin to sin. For example, a non-habitual sinner often feels the sting of the sin more acutely than the habitual sinner. Therefore, a non-habitual sinner will have an easier time repenting, because he or she will be less likely to repeat the sinful behavior. The case of the habitual sinner is more complex. If the habitual sinner regrets his or her sin at all, that regret alone clearly does not translate into a change in behavior. In such a case, Rabbi Nosson Scherman recommends devising "a personal system of reward and punishment" and to avoid circumstances which may cause temptation toward the relevant sin. Rabbi Judah taught, "Who is the penitent whose repentance ascends until the Throne of Glory? — one who is tested and emerges guiltless". Maimonides interpreted this statement to mean that the sign of a true penitent is one who commits a sin and is later given the opportunity to commit exactly the same sin, yet one chooses not to.
When the Temple in Jerusalem was active, a Jew was required to bring various sacrifices for certain types of sins, and to perform a version of the viduy confession ritual as part of the sacrificial ritual. Yet, even when the Holy Temple still stood, the mere act of bringing an offering never automatically caused God to forgive someone for their sins. The Tanakh teaches:
"In sacrifice and offering, you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required."
"For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
"For I desire steadfast love, and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings."
"Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, 'Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.'"
Many places Rabbinic literature emphasizes that performing charitable deeds, praying, and studying Torah are more meritorious than animal sacrifice, and that the former can replace animal sacrifice when the Temple is not active:
"Rabbi Elazar said: Doing righteous deeds of charity is greater than offering all of the sacrifices, as it is written: 'Doing charity and justice is more desirable to the Lord than sacrifice'."
"Rabbi Shmuel bar Nahmani said: The Holy One Said to David: 'Solomon, your Son is building the Temple. Is this not for the purpose of offering sacrifices there? The justice and righteousness of your actions are more precious to me than sacrifices.' And how do we know this? 'To do what is right and just is more desirable to Adonai than sacrifice.' "
"One who does teshuvah is considered as if he went to Jerusalem, rebuilt the Temple, erected the altar, and offered all the sacrifices ordained by the Torah. , 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise '"
"Rava said: Whoever studies Torah does not need ... Said God: In this world, a sacrifice effected their atonement, but in the World to Come, I will forgive your sins without a sacrifice."
"Even if a man has sinned his whole life, and repents on the day of his death, all his sins are forgiven him"
