Repentance: The Meaning & Practice Of Teshuvah

Book Summary

Almost every day, in ways large and small, we hurt others, most often those closest to us, in ways that we regret. These inevitable shortcomings, if not addressed and redressed, bring guilt and shame in their wake, undermine our relationships, and can even erode our selfesteem. We want to undo what we have done, but how? We want to reclaim our integrity, but where do we begin? Combining personal reflections with profound scholarship, Dr. Louis E. Newman examines the way our society deals with moral failings and illustrates how the Jewish principles of teshuvah--truthfulness, responsibility and humility--are the key to rehabilitation and reconciliation, both divine and human. Addressing our most profound questions about moral development, he explores: * How do we overcome our evil impulses? * What traits do we most need to cultivate in order to repent? * How can we repent to those we have wronged? * How can we repent to those who have died or who are no longer reachable? * How can teshuvah enable us to make peace with our transgressions while also helping us to develop a stronger sense of responsibility?

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