Summaries, Charts, Translations and aids
for recorded lectures by Rabbi Ginsburgh
God is a forgiver in essence. The more that we can emulate His forgiveness in our lives, the more we will be deserving of Divine forgiveness. What are the dynamics of this Divine forgiveness, and why does it awaken awe in our souls? In this audio lecture given on the eve of Selichot 5764, Rabbi Ginsburgh delves into the depths of the process of forgiveness. When we apply our understanding of Divine forgiveness to our relationship with God and to forgiving others, we open ourselves to love-filled awe of God and to healthy and creative relationships with our loved ones.
This lecture was recorded live in Crown Heights, NY on the 26th of Elul 5764 (Sep 2004), Sat night the eve of Selichot 5764.
The following is a written summary of the audio lecture
for "The Seven Dynamics of Divine Forgiveness" (#25Elul64).
Click here to listen to the audio lecture.
"For with You is Forgiveness
so that You will be Feared"
(Psalms 130:4)
Sefirah | Explanation according to: | Forgiveness Dynamic | How this Dynamic Produces Awe | How this Dynamic Relates to Sefirah |
Chesed "Loving-kindness" | Tzemach Tzedek based on explanation of the Alter Rebbe | Hachzarat Haratzon "Please reappear" — Supernatural forgiveness | Reappearance of something that has vanished leaves us awestruck | Reappearance is coming close again — love |
Gevurah "Might" | Tzemach Tzedek based on the Midrash | God holds back His forgiveness, releasing it as we progress in our return to Him | The fact that God is holding back His forgiveness produces awe | Holding back forgiveness isgevurah |
Tiferet "Compassion" | Malbim | God is a forgiver in essence. He does not need to be aroused to forgive by external forces | God's essential forgiveness is a revelation of His Exalted Hand — God is never "hurt." This arouses our awe. | God's essential compassion istiferet |
Malchut "Kingdom" | Ibn Ezra | King David in this verse: "It is worthy for You to forgive me." Others will see that even an individual person can repent and be forgiven | When others see that You have forgiven me, they will have awe for You. | If even the King of Israel (malchut) can be forgiven for his sin, so can a regular person be forgiven |
Netzach "Confidence"
| Ibn Yichyah | You (God) must forgive me if You want me to fear You. Otherwise I will kick back | If You don't forgive me, this will cause me to rebel and not fear You | A "kicking" reaction is the "right foot" —netzach
|
Hod "Sincerity" | Parable of Alter Rebbe brought by Tzemach Tzedek | We cannot pay back our debt to You, but we sincerely want to try. Please accept partial payment over a long period of time. | Kind acceptance of our partial payment awakens us to awe — to do our utmost to pay in full even though it is beyond our means | Our sincerity (hod) is met by God's patient benevolence |
Yesod "Truth" | Rashi and other commentaries | Only You can forgive me. No one or nothing else can | We fear only God (Ba'al Shem Tov) | Focus on God as only One is yesod |
