[c4urself]

pretty sure you're referring to God as the "third party" -- but I'm not sure how it was revolutionary considering Judaism had a very similar system in place where offerings were presented to God for forgiveness. Jesus is just the ultimate offering in that sense for Christianity.

[js2]

For forgiveness of sins against God. For sins against another person, forgiveness may only be granted by that person.

Judaism does not recognize absolution as part of the process of sin and repentance. There is no designated authority who can dispense forgiveness of sins after confession and penance; rather, sins between persons require the asking and granting of forgiveness by the parties concerned while sins between persons and God require the asking of forgiveness by the penitent and the granting of forgiveness only by God. Finally, Judaism does not recognize reconciliation (the whole-hearted yielding of all inner negative feeling) as a necessary part of the process of sin and repentance. Although reconciliation is known and even desireable, rabbinic Judaism realizes that there are other modes of rapprochement that are fully adequate and, perhaps, more realistic.

http://www.js.emory.edu/BLUMENTHAL/Repentance.html

[humanrebar]

I'll underscore the point that sinning against your neighbor is also sinning against God. You actually have to ask for forgiveness from God and the victim, not use religion to skirt the responsibility to make amends.