Jesus & Atonement

Written by: Noam Ben Ami

In both Jewish and Christian theology, atonement is the foundation of spiritual reconciliation between humanity and God. However, the way in which atonement is understood in each tradition varies significantly, particularly in how it relates to personal responsibility, the role of communal atonement, and how one engages with the divine. While Jewish theology places heavy emphasis on teshuvah (repentance) and mitzvot (commandments), the role of a tzaddik (a righteous individual) in achieving atonement adds another layer of depth. In Chassidic thought, the tzaddik’s role extends further into the personal realm, guiding individuals and helping them achieve atonement on both a communal and personal level.

Understanding Jesus through this lens presents a new dimension of his role in atonement, particularly when we frame him as a tzaddik whose role complements the teachings of the Torah. By viewing Jesus as an extension to the Torah, especially in relation to atonement, we can bridge Jewish concepts of righteousness with Christian beliefs in his redemptive role.

Jewish Foundations of Atonement

Teshuvah, Mitzvot, and the Torah’s Role

In traditional Jewish theology, atonement is achieved primarily through teshuvah and the performance of mitzvot (commandments). Teshuvah, which means "return," involves recognizing one's sins, feeling remorse, committing to change, and confessing those sins before God. This internal process of returning to God must be followed by mitzvot, which are the actions that complete the teshuvah process. Mitzvot include both positive actions, like giving to charity, and prohibitions, such as refraining from theft or gossip. These commandments, outlined in the Torah, help guide Jews toward living in alignment with God’s will. This idea aligns with the teaching in James 2:17, which states, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Similarly, Jewish theology insists that teshuvah without mitzvot is incomplete.

The Role of the Tzaddik in Jewish and Chassidic Thought

In both classical and Chassidic Jewish thought, the tzaddik (righteous person) holds a significant role in providing communal and cosmic atonement. The tzaddik is not just a person of personal righteousness but someone whose spiritual stature allows them to act as an intermediary between God and the people. The Talmud teaches that the death of the righteous brings atonement for the generation, much like a sacrificial offering. In Moed Katan 28a:1-4, the Talmud compares the death of Miriam to the laws of the red heifer, illustrating that just as the red heifer atones for ritual impurity, so too does the death of the righteous atone for the community.

In Chassidic thought, the tzaddik’s role becomes even more personal. The tzaddik is not just a communal figure but someone who provides personal spiritual guidance and intercedes on behalf of individuals. Followers of a tzaddik may seek their help when they struggle with repentance or need divine mercy. The tzaddik, through their deep spiritual connection with God, acts as a channel for divine grace, carrying the spiritual burdens of those they lead. The tzaddik’s ability to take on the spiritual suffering of others makes them not only a figure of communal atonement but also a provider of personal atonement.

In Chassidic communities, the tzaddik plays a pivotal role in the lives of their followers, offering blessings, prayers, and guidance on how to repent and return to God. The Tanya, a key Chassidic text, in  Chapter 10 of Likkutei Amarim the Alter Rebbe teaches that the tzaddik has the unique ability to elevate the souls of others, helping them achieve spiritual heights they might not be able to reach on their own. This personal dimension of the tzaddik’s role parallels the Christian understanding of Jesus, who is seen as taking on the sins of individuals and providing personal atonement through his sacrifice.

Jesus as a Tzaddik

By viewing Jesus as a tzaddik, we can understand his role in atonement through the lens of Chassidic thought. The tzaddik is not only a righteous person who has completely nullified their ego and overcome any inclination toward evil, but they also serve as a spiritual lifter of others. The tzaddik's soul is uniquely connected to the souls of their generation, allowing them to elevate others to a higher spiritual state that they may not be able to reach on their own.

In this way, Jesus would operate like a tzaddik, helping others draw closer to God and achieve spiritual refinement. Just as the tzaddik in Chassidic thought takes on the burdens of their followers, guiding them through their struggles and elevating their souls, Jesus’ role would involve interceding on behalf of others through his suffering and sacrifice. His actions offer help to individuals to achieve a level of spiritual purity and closeness that they may not have attained alone.

In Kabbalistic thought, the concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) plays a central role in understanding the cosmic dimension of atonement. According to Kabbalah, sin disrupts the harmony of the universe, and the righteous—especially the tzaddik—play a role in repairing this damage. The Zohar, one of the most important texts in Jewish mysticism, teaches that the death of a tzaddik can help repair the spiritual imbalance caused by sin. In Zohar II, 212a, it is explained that the tzaddik’s suffering or death atones for the sins of the generation and helps restore cosmic harmony.

When we apply this concept to Jesus, we see that his suffering and death are not just acts of personal or communal atonement, but they also play a cosmic role in restoring the balance of creation. Jesus’ death can be understood as addressing the spiritual damage, offering a cosmic atonement that complements the Torah’s role in guiding human action.

Atonement for Jews and Gentiles

A Distinction in Roles

The role of atonement differs between Jews and Gentiles according to Jewish tradition. For Jews, the Torah and its commandments provide a clear structure for how to achieve atonement through teshuvah and mitzvot. Jews are obligated to follow the 613 commandments, and their atonement is tied to their adherence to the Torah. Jesus as a tzaddik does not replace the atonement achieved through teshuvah and mitzvot but serves as an additional spiritual guide, much like the tzaddikim described in Chassidic thought. His role operates alongside the Torah’s framework, reinforcing its teachings and helping individuals draw closer to God through spiritual intercession, much like a tzaddik within the Jewish tradition.

For Gentiles, however, the path to atonement is different. In Jewish tradition, Gentiles are bound by the Noahide laws, a set of seven universal commandments that include prohibitions against murder, theft, idolatry, and other basic moral principles. The Torah does not obligate Gentiles to follow the full set of mitzvot, but they are still required to adhere to these basic ethical laws.

For Gentiles, Jesus’ role as a tzaddik provides a path to universal atonement. Through his suffering and death, Jesus offers a way for Gentiles to achieve reconciliation with God, even though they are not bound by the Torah in the same way as Jews. Romans 3:29 captures this idea: “Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too?” In this sense, Jesus’ role as a tzaddik offers a universal solution to the problem of sin, allowing both Jews and Gentiles to find atonement and repair their relationship with God.

Conclusion

By understanding Jesus as a tzaddik, we see how his role in atonement aligns with Jewish theology, Chassidic thought, and Kabbalistic teachings. Jesus, as a tzaddik, complements the Torah’s framework, serving as a figure of personal, communal, and cosmic reconciliation with God.

For Jews, atonement remains grounded in the Torah through teshuvah and mitzvot. The tzaddik operates within this structure, guiding and uplifting others in their spiritual return to God. For Gentiles, Jesus fulfills a universal role of atonement in harmony with the Noahide laws, offering a path to reconciliation that reflects God’s care for all humanity.

In both cases, Jesus’ role as a tzaddik highlights the Jewish concept of the righteous individual—one who intercedes, elevates, and repairs the spiritual damage caused by sin. Far from diminishing the Torah, this understanding deepens the connection between divine grace and human responsibility, offering a broader understanding of atonement that unites divine grace, human responsibility, and the enduring wisdom of Jewish tradition.