According to Jewish law, humiliating someone for her past sins is a serious offense. If God accepts repentance and grants forgiveness, so should we. Accepting repentance is an act of justice, wisdom and humanity

By Isaac Sacca

Posted: Dec 4, 2023 06:45 a.m. Updated 04 Dec 2023 02:21 p.m. A.R.

According to Jewish law, humiliating someone for their past sins is a serious offense (Nir Alon/ZUMA Wire/dpa)

The ability to recognize and rectify past mistakes is not only a manifestation of nobility, but also an act of courage that deserves to be praised and unanimously supported by individuals and organizations dedicated to eradicating discrimination and xenophobia.

In a world where the defense of human rights, justice and truth prevail, it is imperative to applaud and support those who, at personal risk, dare to denounce and publicly confront ideas and acts that violate these fundamental values.

It is up to us, as a conscious society, to denounce and prevent those who spread discriminatory ideas or infringe human rights from accessing positions of influence. This mission takes on an almost sacred character, being the bulwark that protects our society from future waves of hatred and conflict.

It is vital, however, that such accusations are made cautiously and based on concrete evidence, especially if those accused have renounced their former discriminatory beliefs.

Judaism considers defamation, especially when based on past mistakes of individuals who have sincerely repented, as a grave sin. Maimonides, in his work “Mishneh Torah”, (Laws of Repentance chapter 7-8) refers to the Talmud to censure those who despise the repentant and emphasize their ancient faults. According to Jewish law, humiliating someone for their past sins is a serious offense.

While it is legitimate to be concerned about the resurgence of discriminatory or anti-Semitic sentiments, it is essential that any conviction be based on current evidence and not on the past of a repentant individual.

Repentance represents one of the noblest qualities of the human being. We all make mistakes, especially in youth. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day of social renewal and regeneration through repentance and forgiveness. If God accepts repentance and grants forgiveness, so should we.

Denying forgiveness to the repentant is an injustice. History is replete with examples of individuals and nations that have transformed their discriminatory attitudes and emerged as standard-bearers against anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination. Accepting repentance is an act of justice, wisdom and humanity.

Our society is strengthened by embracing sincere repentance and granting second chances to those who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to justice and equality. This approach is not only ethical, but also essential to building a more just and inclusive world.