Musar for Sanhedrin 43:4
למה נקרא שמה אשורית שמאושרת בכתב
But when theyrepented,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the days of Ezra. ');"><sup>7</sup></span> the [Assyrian characters]were re-introduced, as it is written: Turn ye to the stronghold, ye prisonersof hope; even to-day do I declare that I will bring back the Mishneh untothee.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Zech. IX, 12. Again, a play on 'shanah' 'to change', 'to restore', 'to double or bring back', the Mishneh, the earlier writing which was due to suffer change as above. ');"><sup>8</sup></span>
Shenei Luchot HaBerit
The expression of פתח בתשובה, "commenced with repentance," simply means that a person does Teshuvah before he feels any ill effects from his transgression. This is to be contrasted with someone whose repentance is due to old age, when the evil urge cannot hold out the promise of gratification as a reward for the sin. I have explained Lamentations 2,3, השיב אחור ימינו, "He has withdrawn His right hand," to mean that G–d withdrew the hand held out to repentant sinners. The reason G–d did so is because we find in that same verse: מפני אויב, "on account of the enemy." The "enemy" is the painful result of one's sins. When repentance is due only to G–d's retribution, they are not compared to "crowns." Repentance and good deeds are considered "crowns" of a person, i.e. adorn him when they are caused by free willed activity, and before reverses in one's life prompt one to try "religion."
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy