Theological-sensitive therapy: The eight keys to forgiveness based on Jewish scriptures.

Abstract

Religions have a significant and profound impact on cultures. Therefore, we must consider the impact of paradigms, ideas, and values rooted in the client’s religious theology while using therapeutic methods in the field. We term this a “theological-sensitive therapy” and exemplify it with the “translation” of a known therapeutic approach, forgiveness therapy, into a certain theological system, Judaism. Such a translation should be applied to other therapeutic approaches and different theological systems as well. Judaism is one of the oldest religions, preserving vast theoretical and practical knowledge that can be applied to mental health practice, offering insight and motivation that may lead to enhanced well-being for spiritually oriented clients. This article presents Jewish forgiveness therapy based on Enright’s social-scientific forgiveness therapy model. Based on an analysis of Jewish scriptures and subsequent Jewish commentaries, we emphasize the life-changing values related to forgiveness. In addition, we highlight unique innovations found in the Jewish scriptures that may augment and enrich existing psychotherapeutic approaches to forgiveness.