Q&A: The Obligation to Forgive
The Obligation to Forgive
Question
If someone hurt me very badly and refuses to ask forgiveness, am I nevertheless obligated to forgive him? And is the prohibition of "Do not hate your brother in your heart" relevant here?
Answer
Several later authorities (Acharonim) discuss this. In my opinion there is no obligation at all, although it is a virtue. The permission/obligation to hate refers to wicked people, not to just anyone who hurt you. The prohibition against hating in one's heart, at least according to Maimonides, only forbids keeping the hatred inside your heart rather than hatred itself. Although the halakhic decisors disagree about this. Clearly it is preferable not to hate, and if you have something in your heart against him, tell him.