Project Genesis




Forgiving the Unrepentant

According to Jewish law, is it ever wrong to forgive another person who continues to wrong others or continues to commit crimes?

Thank you for your interesting question. A person should always try to forgive another person who has wronged them, even if they continue to do so. As a matter of fact, our Rabbis have instituted as part of the text of the “Shema” prayer said before going to sleep every night that we state that we forgive anyone who has wronged us that day in any manner. However, if the person is not sincere and continues to wrong others, although it is praiseworthy to privately forgive him, this need not be communicated to him, since this may encourage him to continue with his wrongdoing.

Take care,
Rabbi Aaron Tendler

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