Why Jews Need Atonement Without Believing in Original Sin | Teshuvah Explained

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In this episode of Dear Rabbi, Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield addresses a fundamental question that reveals the stark difference between Jewish and Christian theology: if Jews don't believe in original sin, why do we need atonement? This question addresses fundamental beliefs about human nature, sin, forgiveness, and redemption that distinguish Judaism from Christianity.

Rabbi Lehrfield explains that while Christianity teaches the doctrine of original sin - the belief that all humanity is inherently flawed and spiritually damaged due to Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden, requiring divine salvation - Judaism teaches the exact opposite. In Jewish thought, every human being is created as a spark of the divine, making us essentially and inherently good at our core. This fundamental difference shapes how each religion views human nature, morality, and the path to spiritual healing.

So why do Jews still need teshuvah (repentance or atonement) if we're essentially good? Rabbi Lehrfield clarifies that when we make mistakes or poor choices, we create spiritual decay and damage in ourselves and in the world around us. Teshuvah, which literally translates as "returning," is the process of returning to our essential good self, our true nature as sparks of the divine.

Judaism doesn't use the concept of "sin" in the way Christianity does. Instead, we use the Hebrew word "chet," an archery term that means "missing the mark" or "missing the target." When we act in ways that aren't in our best interest or don't make the world a more holy place, we've simply missed the mark - not become fundamentally corrupted or damned.

He uses the analogy of teaching children about proper apologies: it's not enough to just say "I'm sorry." A real apology requires acknowledging what you did wrong, feeling genuine remorse about the harm caused, and taking concrete action to repair the damage and prevent it from happening again. This is exactly what teshuvah involves - a complete process of recognition, remorse, and repair.

This episode explores Jewish concepts of human nature and goodness, the meaning of chet vs. sin, how teshuvah works as a process of spiritual repair and returning to one's true self, differences between Jewish and Christian theology on human nature, practical applications of teshuvah in daily life, and why understanding these differences matters for interfaith dialogue.

Whether you're curious about comparative religion, questioning traditional Christian concepts of sin and salvation, interested in Jewish theology and philosophy, exploring teshuvah and repentance in Judaism, or seeking to understand fundamental differences between Judaism and Christianity, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the most important theological distinctions between these faiths.

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