Repentance: The Meaning and Practice of Teshuvah

by Dr. Louis E. Newman

An inspiring way to reclaim your integrity and renew your sense of moral purpose. "Like water, teshuvah is both destructive and creative. It dissolves the person you were but simultaneously provides the moisture you need to grow anew. It erodes the hard edges of your willfulness but also refreshens your spirit. It can turn the tallest barriers of moral blindness into rubble while it also gently nourishes the hidden seeds of hope buried deep in your soul. Teshuvah , like water, has the power both to wash away past sin and to shower you with the blessing of a new future, if only you trust it and allow yourself to be carried along in its current." ―from Part VII In this candid and comprehensive probe into the nature of moral transgression and spiritual healing, Dr. Louis E. Newman examines both the practical and philosophical dimensions of teshuvah , Judaism's core religious-moral teaching on repentance, and its value for us―Jews and non-Jews alike―today. He exposes the inner logic of teshuvah as well as the beliefs about God and humankind that make it possible. He also charts the path of teshuvah, revealing to us how we can free ourselves from the burden of our own transgressions
• Acknowledging our transgressions • Confessing • Feeling remorse • Apologizing • Making restitution • Soul reckoning • Avoiding sin when the next opportunity arises

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Religion

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about this book. I was totally surprised on how much I've learned about the meaning and power of teshuvah. This is a book that I want to read again and again and is one of the rare books that I put on my "to-buy" list. The author is a professor of religious studies at Carleton College and one of the country's leading scholars of Jewish ethics. I learned of the author by listening to his interview with Krista Tippett where I found out that he is recovering alcoholic and has learned firsthand about the practice of teshuvah. I am rediscovering the richness and depth of Hebrew words like teshuvah which greatly surpasses my simplistic understanding of the English word repentance.

I recommend this book to anyone serious about finding the path to God and who we are meant to be.

[Stephen Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars)

This was a relatively good, though by no flawless guide in to both the meaning and practice of teshuvah. I certainly learnt a lot from it and it was definitely appropriate reading in the run up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

There were a lot of excellent chapters, some good chapters, some OK chapters and some chapters I didn't connect with. Overall this led to a good book, but not a special book. I also thought there was quite a bit I didn't agree with in the concluding chapter, especially for me his overly bleak view of human nature.

I think he tried to combined meaning and practice throughout. Quite often this worked, but not all the time and sometimes it just went over my head.

There were bits I didn't agree with and I thought it was written from the perspective of an orthodox jew whose opinions on what causes depression (something I suffer with) were informed by that. I also found him referring to he a lot, as if women didn't exist jarring.

All that said there was a lot to like about this good. It gave me a much better idea of Teshuvah then I previously had and the practical ways it can play a role in people's lives as well as mine. I learnt a lot on the stages of being truly repentant, the role of God in Teshuvah and the forgiveness of others. Mostly it was written in a relatable and person filled style with lots of examples, which meant in large swathes of this book you were having a conversation with a friend or one of your favourite teachers. Newman had also clearly done his research and brought the teachings of the Torah, Midrash, Talmud, Pirkei Avot, ancient and modern Rabbis, various Jewish commentators and those of other faiths alive in a way you could understand what they were trying to tell you about certain facets of Teshuvah and the transformational role it can play in renewing your life, turning you in to a new person, who learns and turns his mistakes in to virtue and therefore lives a more godly life.

I would recommend this book, on the proviso though there are sections not as well written as others and some sexism. All that said I learnt a lot from this book, including most importantly how to follow the path of Teshuvah in my life and in doing so live a life which returns me to a strong relationship with God and people I've previously hurt.