Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/264

Rh The Book of Genesis

246 saken him.

was the beginning

It

of

Jacob's

regeneration.

He had lain down a trembhng, fearful sinner. He arose, a brave, strong man, firm in his faith in God's love, and strong in his determination to walk henceforth in God's path, that through him and his descendants God's promise might be mankind be blessed. from his hard bed, the very first sign of Once more, with true repentance was manifested in him. fulfilled,

And

and

all

as he rose

unutterable longing, his thoughts reverted to those dear ones at home whom he had wronged, his mother, upon whom he

had been willing to let the evil curse come, his brother, whom he had cheated and robbed, and above all, his old, blind Almost unconfather, whom he had so basely deceived. sciously the prayer welled forth from his heart that God might not only be with him upon this journey, and provide for his needs, and bring him back to this land, but, above all, that He might at last bring him again even to his father's house, no more in discord and deceit, but in peace with all the loved ones whom he had wronged, that he might labor to right the wrong, and return unto them love in fullest measure. That is always the first step toward true repentThe rabbis taught that, despite His great love, God ance. does not forgive the sins we commit against others, until we have ourselves first made every effort to right the wrong and obtain the wronged one's pardon.

We love,

have heard very much thus far of God's unfailing He bears constantly with men, seeking

and of how

ever that they

may

Him and live. We remember Abraham, who could not bear with the

return to

the beautiful story of

poor, ignorant, old fire-worshiper for a single night, though

God had borne too,

We

think, with him for a hundred years. God has given to every

of the beautiful allegory, that

man two

who accompany

him, one at his right wherever he goes. Whenever he does a good deed, the angel on the right smiles, and angels,

shoulder and one at his

left, \n