The story of the Israelites and the serpents in the wilderness offers us a powerful glimpse. You remember the story, right? After complaining yet again about their circumstances, God sends serpents among them. Ouch. The people, suddenly realizing the error of their ways, are in dire straits. They'd spoken against God, and against MOSES, their leader.
They were too sick to even approach Moses, but word reached him, and they confessed: "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that He take away the serpents from us."
Now, imagine being Moses for a moment. These are the same people who constantly questioned you, who grumbled and complained, who made your life incredibly difficult. Wouldn't a little part of you want to say, "Well, look what your complaining got you?"
But that’s not what happened.
Instead, we're told that Moses, in his incredible humility—his anavah (ענוה), a quality so prized in Jewish tradition—instantly forgave their transgression against himself. He didn't hesitate. He immediately implored God to help them.
And here’s the truly remarkable part: God, too, forgave them as soon as they showed penitence. No long lectures, no drawn-out punishments. Just…forgiveness.
Ginzberg, in Legends of the Jews, points out the profound implication of this moment. God's swift forgiveness serves as an example to humanity. It teaches us the importance of granting forgiveness when it is requested. If God, the ultimate judge, can forgive so readily, shouldn't we strive to do the same?
It’s a powerful message, isn't it? Forgiveness isn't always easy. It requires us to let go of anger, resentment, and the desire for retribution. But this story reminds us that forgiveness, both giving and receiving, is a cornerstone of spiritual growth, of repairing relationships, and ultimately, of emulating the divine. It's a lesson as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago in the desert. So, who do you need to forgive? And who needs your forgiveness?