Commentary for Avodah Zarah 33:16
בכה רבי ואמר יש קונה עולמו בכמה שנים ויש קונה עולמו בשעה אחת ואמר רבי לא דיין לבעלי תשובה שמקבלין אותן אלא שקורין אותן רבי
[When he heard], Rebbi cried and said: There are those who acquire their World to Come in many years, and those who acquire their World to Come in a single moment. Rebbi said also: Not only are baalei teshuva accepted, they are even called Rabbi!
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Rabbi [Judah Hanasi] also reflects on this amazing story. First of all, Rabbi Elazar acquires eternal life in one single moment, so profound was his teshuvah. Second, even though he spent his life in sin, chasing prostitutes, he is still called “Rabbi.” Profound.
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