Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/294

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276

TJie

Book

of Genesis

repentance means, and that, even though exacting,

is

it

not beyond

human

strength.

it

be

difficult

And we

and

under-

stand fully the words of the Psalmist,

The

A

sacriilices of God are a broken spirit broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

and such a heart were Jacob's, and we know was acceptable to the Lord, and that his repentance was true and lasting. And we understand, too, the words of the wise, old rabbi, "Who is a hero? He who

Such a

spirit

that his sacrifice

conquereth his

own

evil inclinations".

life, and of repentance and means, and how alone God's forgiveness can be

In thinking of Jacob's entire all

that

it

we

are reminded of a beautiful story, which used by the rabbis. A certain man, Eliezer ben Dordeja by name, had sinned greatly. Throughout his life he had committed sins without number, nor even once had felt the slightest compunction or fear before God. But one day an old woman said to him, "Eliezer ben Dordeja, thy wickedness is great, and thy sins are without number; never canst thou find pardon or work atonement thou art hopelessly lost, and condemned by God to eternal i)unishment". With that terror seized upon Eliezer ben Dordeja. Suddenly he realized the magnitude of his ofi^ense and his utter hopelessness. Immediately the desire to sin left him completely, and only the desire to atone remained. But how might he atone; he understood nothing about this. In despair he fled out into the wilderness. There he beheld the mountains towering above him until their tops seemed to penetrate into God's very heaven. He sank down at their feet and prayed, "Ye mountains and hills, forgive my transgressions and seek pardon for me from God". But the mountains sadly answered, "Rather than seek pardon for thee must we implore mercy for ourselves from the Creator". Then Eliezer wrung his hands, and in despair he raised his eyes aloft to heaven. attained,

to be told


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