Page "Jewish principles of faith" Paragraph 36

A classical rabbinic work, Avoth de-Rabbi Natan, states: " One time, when Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai was walking in Jerusalem with Rabbi Yehosua, they arrived at where the Temple in Jerusalem now stood in ruins.

" Woe to us ," cried Rabbi Yehosua, " for this house where atonement was made for Israel's sins now lies in ruins!

" Answered Rabban Yochanan, " We have another, equally important source of atonement, the practice of gemiluth ( loving kindness ), as it is stated: " I desire loving kindness and not sacrifice " ( Hosea 6: 6 ).

Also, the Babylonian Talmud teaches that " Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Eleazar both explain that as long as the Temple stood, the altar atoned for Israel, but now, one's table atones the poor are invited as guests " ( Talmud, tractate Berachoth 55a ).

Similarly, the liturgy of the Days of Awe ( the High Holy Days ; i. e. Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur ) states that prayer, repentance and tzedakah atone for sin.