Counseling faces major problems, such as people who are obsessed with guilt, blame, or accusations. These people can never be helped until they put aside the past and look to the future. Whether they blame themselves or others is not the issue. The negative thing that corrects the bad that was done impedes the progress.

Yes, justice must be done. If wrong was done then the wrongdoer does indeed have to rectify the misdeed. Jews have no concept of turning the other cheek. They have the concept of punishing those who do need punishing.

However, this need to correct the evil that was done is an impediment to the ultimate solution of any social or individual problems or weaknesses.

Perhaps it is best to say then that counseling should involve two steps.

1. Correcting the wrongs that were done
2. Getting on with the future

Perhaps some people can get on to the second step before the first is completed. Perhaps they feel that the second step is important and they will get to the first step anyhow, so they can get on with their lives in the meantime.

More power to them. It would be great if all of us would have this same fortitude.

However, many of us are not of that level or stature it is necessary to handle these two issues separately and in the normal order so that counseling can take place.