I was talking with a Christian co-worker and had the following questions. Since Jews do not believe Jesus is the Messiah where in the Torah does it state that we can repent our sins by doing certain things, and in what ways can we repent their sins. Once we repent does it say in the Torah that we will be allowed into the gates of heaven? Why don’t the Jews worry about going to hell, and where does it state in the Torah that they will go to heaven if they repent for their sins.
It is interesting that you posed your question at this time of year. In the Jewish calendar, we are approaching Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). This is a time of year specifically set aside for repenting our sins and achieving atonement before our Creator. The Torah discusses this concept in Deuteronomy 30:1-15. The Prophets are replete with exhortations for the Jews to repent, and they relate in great detail the rewards for those who do so. In addition, our Oral Tradition, as elucidated by the Talmud and classic commentaries, flesh out the concepts of repentance.
In short, a person must stop doing the sin, regret having done it, verbally confess, and make a commitment to refrain from that sin in the future. The degree of forgiveness is commensurate with the degree of heartfelt repentance.
The death of another person certainly does not serve to erase our sins and grant us salvation. Nor does any mere declaration provide us with reward. The difference between Judaism and Christianity in their approach to repentance is an extension of their other major difference. Judaism is focused on our obligations in this world. The Torah talks about perfecting ourselves in this world and the rewards we will receive here. If a person is good, she will receive reward in the world to come as well. If not, she will undergo a purification process after death. Again, these points are fleshed out by the Talmud and commentaries.
All the best,
Rabbi Michael Alterman