In Judaism, a ba'al teshuvah (Hebrew: בעל תשובה; for a woman, בעלת תשובה, ba'alat teshuva or ba'alas teshuva; plural, בעלי תשובה, ba'alei teshuva, 'owner of return [to God or his way]') is a Jew who adopts some form of traditional religious observance after having previously followed a secular lifestyle or a less stringent form of Judaism.[1]
Originally, the term referred to a Jew who transgressed the halakhah (Jewish law) knowingly or unknowingly and completed a process of introspection to "return" to the full observance of God's mitzvot.[1] According to the Mishneh Torah of Maimonides, the Talmud says that a true ba'al teshuvah stands higher in shamayim (lit. 'heaven') than a "frum from birth", even higher than a tzadik:[2]
The sages said: "The place whereon the penitent stand the wholly righteous could not stand;" as if saying: "their degree is above the degree of those who ever did not sin, because it is more difficult for them to subdue their passion than for the others."[3]
In modern times, the phrase is primarily used to refer to a Jew from a non-Orthodox background who becomes religiously observant in an Orthodox fashion. However, there is no strict definition of a ba'al teshuva and so the concept can also encompass Orthodox-leaning Jews who become stricter in their observance, such as those who go from keeping kosher only at home to also avoiding non-kosher restaurants.[4] The alternative term, chozer b'teshuvah (חוזר בתשובה), plural chozrim b’teshuvah, is more commonly used in Israel.[5] In Hebrew, chozer b'teshuvah translates to 'returning to return' or 'returning to repentance'.[6]
According to the teachings of the Torah, "whoever judges himself will not be judged"; however, in the described history of Talmudic times and early Hasidism, many tzadikim were able to "see" the transgressions of others.[citation needed]
Mar b. R. Ashi said: I am disqualified to judge in a scholar’s lawsuit. What is the reason? Because I love him as much as I love myself, and a person is unable to find fault with himself.[7]
For the most part, the stature and the preparation of these Tzadikim presuppose a balance that allows a peaceful coexistence even with those who have committed serious transgressions because otherwise, the intent to rage against them and, worse, to obtain advantages from them would certainly prevail.
baal, teshuva, been, suggested, that, movement, merged, into, this, article, discuss, proposed, since, january, 2024, judaism, teshuvah, hebrew, בעל, תשובה, woman, בעלת, תשובה, alat, teshuva, alas, teshuva, plural, בעלי, תשובה, alei, teshuva, owner, return, ad. It has been suggested that Baal teshuva movement be merged into this article Discuss Proposed since January 2024 In Judaism a ba al teshuvah Hebrew בעל תשובה for a woman בעלת תשובה ba alat teshuva or ba alas teshuva plural בעלי תשובה ba alei teshuva owner of return to God or his way is a Jew who adopts some form of traditional religious observance after having previously followed a secular lifestyle or a less stringent form of Judaism 1 Originally the term referred to a Jew who transgressed the halakhah Jewish law knowingly or unknowingly and completed a process of introspection to return to the full observance of God s mitzvot 1 According to the Mishneh Torah of Maimonides the Talmud says that a true ba al teshuvah stands higher in shamayim lit heaven than a frum from birth even higher than a tzadik 2 The sages said The place whereon the penitent stand the wholly righteous could not stand as if saying their degree is above the degree of those who ever did not sin because it is more difficult for them to subdue their passion than for the others 3 In modern times the phrase is primarily used to refer to a Jew from a non Orthodox background who becomes religiously observant in an Orthodox fashion However there is no strict definition of a ba al teshuva and so the concept can also encompass Orthodox leaning Jews who become stricter in their observance such as those who go from keeping kosher only at home to also avoiding non kosher restaurants 4 The alternative term chozer b teshuvah חוזר בתשובה plural chozrim b teshuvah is more commonly used in Israel 5 In Hebrew chozer b teshuvah translates to returning to return or returning to repentance 6 According to the teachings of the Torah whoever judges himself will not be judged however in the described history of Talmudic times and early Hasidism many tzadikim were able to see the transgressions of others citation needed Mar b R Ashi said I am disqualified to judge in a scholar s lawsuit What is the reason Because I love him as much as I love myself and a person is unable to find fault with himself 7 For the most part the stature and the preparation of these Tzadikim presuppose a balance that allows a peaceful coexistence even with those who have committed serious transgressions because otherwise the intent to rage against them and worse to obtain advantages from them would certainly prevail See also editBaal teshuva movement Orthodox Judaism outreach Tinok shenishbaReferences edit a b What Is A Ba al Teshuvah My Jewish Learning Rabbi Aaron L Raskin Tzaddik The Baal Teshuvah Chabad org Laws of Repentance 7 4 citing Berakot 34b C G Mishneh Torah Levin Sala 4 March 2016 Jewish Word Baal Teshuvah Moment Magazine Dana Kessler 11 December 2018 Baal Teshuvah The Next Generation Tablet Levin Sala 4 March 2016 Jewish Word Baal Teshuvah Moment Magazine Finkel Avraham Yaakov Ein Yaakov Jason Aronson Inc p 116 nbsp This Judaism related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Baal teshuva amp oldid 1193832624, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
