What Does God Tell a Sinner Who Wants to Return

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 24:7

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

[7] "Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way," etc. (Psalms 25:8). They asked Wisdom: The sinner, what is his punishment? She said to them: "Evil pursues sinners" (Proverbs 13:21). They asked Prophecy: The sinner, what is his punishment? She said to them: "The soul that sins, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). They asked the Torah: A sinner, what is his punishment? She said to them: Let him bring a guilt offering and it will be atoned for him. They asked the Holy One, blessed be He: The sinner, what is his punishment? He said to them: Let him repent and it will be atoned for him. This is what is written: "Good and upright is the LORD," etc. (Psalms 25:8). Rabbi Pinhas said: Why is He good? Because He is upright. Why is He upright? Because He is good. "Therefore He instructs sinners in the way" (there) -- for He shows sinners the way to repent. Therefore Hosea warns Israel and says to them: "Return, O Israel" (Hosea 14:2).

Themes

HellTorahProphecySoulPrayerRepentanceWisdomHoly Land

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