What is atonement from a Jewish perspective ?

How does one achieve atonement for sin?

Judaism accepts that the only method for expiation of sin is

repentance. If one sincerely regrets his sins, confesses his guilt

before God, and redirects his life towards God, then God

forgives the sin. There are many actions through which one

can express the attitude of repentance. Prayer, charity, and

bringing offerings to God’s altar, are legitimate expressions of

a repentant heart. In some situations God commands us to

bring an offering to give expression to our repentance. But it is

the sincerity of the repentance which ultimately achieves the

reconciliation with God.

Christianity believes that the only method for atonement of

sin is through blood sacrifice. The only blood sacrifice which

can actually redeem from sin, is the sacrifice of Jesus. Through

worship of Jesus the Christian connects with the blood that

expiates his sins.

Heartfelt personal repentance, namely behavior change. More than one prophet including Isaiah (Ch 1), Jeremiah (25) and a few others were overheard to say that the sacrifice of animals is not nor never has been atonement, but G-d requires a broken and contrite heart and repentance. A number of Rabbis have said the same.

This article on Yom Kippur gives some details on the Jewish view of atonement:

http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm

Unlike another religion I could mention, they don't believe that atonement for sins comes from a human sacrifice; God taking a flesh form in order to sacrifice himself himself to correct the Levitican law he made himself, just doesn't make a whole lot of sense in Judaism.

Akiva/Terry- gave a great idea.

So I'll copy what he did (Bershus).

Rambam Hilchos T'shuvah!

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/9118...

LOL!

Hash-m yevarech ot'cha!

Ani Choshev, She'Ani Tsarich Lalechet Me'hamakom Hazeh.

Mishnah Torah: Hilchos Teshuva (Laws of Repentance)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28390008/Maimondes-Hilch...

Thumbs up to that Gavriel! lol ;0)

It is the acknowledgement that we alone cannot right our wrongs, but that we need help. The same principle was reitterated by Jesus showing Himself to be the lamb that wwas slain before the foundation of the world.