The Origins of Jewish Guilt: Psychological, Theological, and Cultural Perspectives

Simon Dein, Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 2013, 15, 2, 123-137.

Abstract: The idea that guilt and Judaism are closely interlinked has a long historical legacy. After discussing recent work on anthropology and emotion focusing on shame and guilt, we examine three theories purporting to account for this link: psychoanalytic, theological, and guilt as a cultural stereotype particularly the notion of the Jewish mother.