Abundant in Kindness and the Lifting of the Eye

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 25:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

And abundant in kindness (Numbers 14:18). Rabbi Lazar and Rabbi Yose bar Rabbi Chanina. Rabbi Lazar said: The pan of the scale is balanced even, iniquities on this side and merits on that side, and the Holy One, blessed be He, snatches away one bond from among the iniquities, and the merits tip the balance. And what is the meaning of bearing iniquity? Lifting up the eye. Rabbi Chuna in the name of Rabbi Abahu said: As it were, there is no forgetting before Him, but for Israel's sake He becomes, as it were, a forgetter. And what is the reason? Who is a God like You, bearing iniquity and passing over transgression (Micah 7:18). And so David said, You bore the iniquity of Your people, You covered all their sin, Selah (Psalms 85:3).

Themes

MercyDivine JusticeRepentance

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