Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/154

 The Book of Genesis

136

They had proved again how

ened Lot for protecting them. hopelessly

they

sinful

were,

and had forfeited their last So the destruction of the

opportunity to obtain forgiveness. city followed.

First,

however, God provided for the safety

But when Lot

of Lot and his family.

tried to

sons-in-law to hearken to the warning and to

they refused and in the

mocked

wickedness of the

at

city,

him.

persuade his

flee

with him,

They shared completely

and therefore merited destruc-

tion.

So,

at

sorrow,

last,

to

God was compelled

destroy

the "wicked

in

cities.

justice,

In

judges of Sodom, His was true justice.

ham had

though

contrast

to

in

the

Yet, just as Abra-

was tempered by So God always judges, our religion teaches. He delights to reward men for their Only in sorrow, and only late, does He punish goodness. for sin. Always He holds out the hope and opportunity for repentance, and always He longs for the return of the sinner. Always His patient love guides the affairs of men, and always He sends His word of truth and right and forgiveness unto them. In His great love He has given us our Yom Kippur, our Day of Atonement once each year. It is the constantly recurring symbol of His love, and of the opportunity He gives us to obtain forgiveness and begin anew a life of righteousness and of walking with -Him. Upon it we may turn to Him in sorrow, and implore pardon for the sins of the past year, and earnestly resolve to live Even more than this, the rabbis told. the new year better. He fixed Yom Kippur ten days after Rosh Hashonah for On Rosh Hashonah all the a wise and loving purpose. world must pass for judgment before Him. The ten days from Rosh Hashonah to Yom Kippur are given for repentpleaded, like

mercy and the desire

all

to

ance and return to God.

true justice

it

forgive.

They

are called the asereth y'mai

If, fshuvah, "the Ten Days of Repentance" or '^Return". durino^ these davs, so the rabbis taught, one truly repents,