Baal teshuva
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2008-06-04T16:11:53Z
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{{Main|Repentance in Judaism}}
'''Baal teshuva''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: '''{{lang|he|בעל תשובה}}'''; for a woman: {{lang|he|בעלת תשובה}}, ''baalat teshuva''; plural: {{lang|he|בעלי תשובה}}, ''baalei teshuva''), sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] term referring to a person who has repented. ''Baal teshuva'' can be translated idiomatically as "one who has done [[Repentance in Judaism|repentance]]." Informally, it is often contrasted with "FFB," i.e [[Frum]] From Birth.
The term historically referred to a Jew who had transgressed the [[Halakha]] ("Jewish law") and completed a process of introspection and "returned" to the straight path. However, in contemporary times, the phrase is primarily used to refer to a Jew from a [[Secular Jewish culture|secular background]] who has become religiously observant (normally in an orthodox fashion) later in life. (The alternative term "chozer b'teshuva" ({{lang|he|חוזר בתשובה}}) is more common in [[Israel]]). There are numerous [[baal teshuva movement]]s and organisations that seek to encourage this.
The [[Talmud]] expresses high regard of ''Baalei teshuva'', by stating that "the position where ''Baalei teshuva'' attain; even ''[[Tzadik|Tzadikim gemurim]]'' (those who were always righteous) cannot attain".
==See also==
*[[Orthodox Jewish outreach]]
==External links==
*[http://www.aishkodesh.org/articles/library_ArticleDetail.asp?ArticleID=99&ArtType=R&left=1&pgno=1 The Baal Teshuva and the Jewish Community: Re-entry Problems - includes issues relating to ''ben niddah'']
[[Category:Hebrew words and phrases]]
[[Category:Orthodox Judaism]]
[[Category:Orthodox Jewish outreach]]
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[[he:חזרה בתשובה]]
[[nl:Ba'al tesjoewa]]
[[yi:בעל תשובה]]