Taking into consideration that this is the time of year for Jewish reflection and atonement, it’s also a good time to reflect on the power and responsibility of forgiveness, a theme that runs through the Bible and Jewish tradition.

We oftentimes twin two verbs that we are coaxed to perform: forgive and forget. Society teaches us that forgiveness is a supreme virtue—a noble act that liberates the forgiver. Yet in the Jewish tradition, forgiveness is not a blanket virtue. We can and should, only if and when warranted, forgive. But we should never forget.

The great 12th-century philosopher Maimonides says that Judaism recognizes the reality of pain, but it also insists that holding on to anger forever poisons our soul. To forgive is not to forget, but to choose life, compassion and healing

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