Atonement in Judaism

Other means (e.g. Temple sacrifices, judicial punishments, and returning stolen property) may be involved in the atonement process, together with repentance.

In Rabbinic Judaism, atonement is achieved through repentance, which can be followed by some combination of the following: Which of these additions are required varies according to the severity of the sin, whether it was done willfully, in error, or under duress, whether it was against God alone or also against a fellow person, and whether the Temple service and ordained law courts are in existence or not.

According to Maimonides, the requirements for atonement of various sins between man and God are as follows:[1] The sentence of an ordained court (when available) can also substitute for Yom Kippur + tribulations + dying.

[5] Judaism describes various means of receiving atonement for sin (e.g. Temple sacrifices, judicial punishments, and returning stolen property).

And similarly, one who injures his fellow or damages his property, even if he paid to him what was obligated, does not receive atonement until he confesses and repents from ever doing such actions again...

[9] However, the role of sacrifices in atonement was strictly limited, and simply bringing an offering never automatically caused God to forgive a sin.

[13] The Hebrew Bible tells of people who returned to God through repentance and prayer alone, without sacrifices: for example, both Jews and non-Jews in the books of Jonah and Esther.