People don't ask for or grant forgiveness in the Bible—at least, not in the way modern people are familiar with. Scripture is less focused on whether someone feels sorry or magnanimous than on practical reconciliation and restoration. Repeatedly in biblical narratives, characters demonstrate this reconciliation with a kiss.

Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman discusses how forgiveness as we understand it is a modern notion and how the relevant biblical notion differs.

Show Notes:

• 0:26 The Hebrew Bible doesn't portray apology-and-forgiveness

Show notes by Dominique LaCroix

Credits for the music TBM podcast: hebraicthought.org/credits.