The following with very minor corrections in spelling is based on the Soncino translation of the Talmud, Tractate Yoma page 86
R. Yochanan said: Great is repentance. for it overrides a prohibition of the Torah, as it is said saying: If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, may he return unto her again? Will not that land be greatly polluted? But thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; and wouldest thou yet return to Me? Saith the Lord. (Jer. III, 1.) R. Yonaton said: Great is repentance because it brings about redemption, as it is said And a redeemer will come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob,( Isa. LIX, 20.) i.e., why will a redeemer come to Zion? Because of those that turn from transgression in Jacob.
Resh Lakish said: Great is repentance, for because of it premeditated sins are accounted as errors, as it is said: Return, O Israel, unto the Lord, thy God,’ for thou hast stumbled in thy iniquity.( Hos. XIV, 2) ‘Iniquity’ is premeditated, and yet he calls it ‘stumbling’.
But that is not so! For Resh Lakish said that repentance is so great that premeditated sins are accounted as though they were merits, as it is said: And when the wicked turneth from his wickedness, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby!( Ezek. XXXIII, 19)
That is no contradiction: One refers to a case of [repentance] derived from love, the other to one due to fear.
Topic: The Power of Repentance (Read 1840 times)