Forgiveness by the Book

When his people broke the deal and incurred divine wrath by worshipping a calf of gold, Moses told G‑d:

“Forgive them. And if You do not, erase me from Your book that You have written.”

Meaning:

“I know You want to forgive them. You love them no matter what. You loved them before, when they had all but abandoned You in Egypt. And You love them now as well.”

“What has occurred since then? That you have given them your Torah. So that it’s only this book, your Torah, that stands in the way.”

“And if so, I want no part in such a book.”

This was the response for which G‑d was waiting, for which He chose Moses to begin with. So it was that then, through Moses, G‑d wrote forgiveness into His book.

And so must we.

Likkutei Sichot, vol. 21, pp. 173–180; ibid., vol. 9, pp. 237–242.

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8 Comments

Ben New Orleans August 21, 2015

Actually forgiveness was always in the book... it's just that Moshe hadn't 'seen' it before that moment. Reply

James More Seasaw City August 22, 2014

Creation in nature Why must everyone be forced to believe the same when each of us are different? What if I do see our creator in nature from a young age in my dad's eyes when I go fishing, hunting, and camping with him? Why must I pay a ransom for someone to save my soul like they hold the keys to heaven and hell in their pocketbooks, or be tortured, tormented, sent to be a social outcast and to living hell? Reply

David Harold Chester Petach Tikva, Israel March 2, 2021

in response to James More:

James More: You are not paying any ransom for salvation and from what you have written you seem to think that what your future holds depends on somebody else. Nobody is forcing you and even if they could it is not how a sincere response might be created.

If only you could work up a sincere belief that by your own determination to follow a few basic principles and some good thoughts and their associated actions, that G-d will look kindly down on you and like most of us, who do try (in our somewhat different and ineffective ways) to live good lives, that for you too there is great hope. Reply

BA Kress Austin August 22, 2014

And So Are Consequences! Yes, forgiveness is in the book. But so are consequences when we stray from G-d's expectations. We are reading parashot at this very season that show clearly a balance of Moses' love for, and demands of, our people based on these Divine expectations.

Forgiveness is indeed in the book, but so are consequences. Reply

zak San Diego August 22, 2014

judging a book by its cover Divine wrath tests the conviction of ones purpose of sincerity as this is ones heart. For this sacrifice was given from the heart that love of others be seen, for He who purifies. The offering was excepted for sincerity and the reward from above which is forgiveness that reflects below. For one to write a book knows it content. For it is He above that writes it upon your heart. Reply

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