The hearts of all who fear God should tremble with the reflection that
all the deeds of the creature are known to the Creator, and will be by
Him accounted to them for good or evil. God is ready at all times to
acknowledge true penitence; and of repentance there are seven degrees:
First, the righteous man, who repents his misconduct as soon as he
becomes aware of his sin. This is the best and most complete.
Secondly, of the man who has for some time led a life of sin, yet who,
in the vigor of his days, gives over his evil ways and conquers his
wrong inclinations. As Solomon has said, "Remember thy Creator in the
days of thy youthful vigor." While in the prime of life abandon thy evil
ways.
Thirdly, of the one who was prevented by some cause from the commission
of a contemplated sin, and who truly repents his evil intention. "Happy
is the man who fears the Lord," said the Psalmist. The man, not the
woman? Aye, all mankind. The word is used to denote strength; those who
repent while still in their youth.
Fourthly, of the one who repents when his sin is pointed out to him, and
he is rebuked for the same, as in the instance of the inhabitants of
Nineveh. They repented not until Jonah proclaimed to them, "Yet forty
days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." The men of Nineveh believed
in God's mercy, and though the decree had been pronounced against them,
yet they repented. "And God saw their work, that they had returned from
their evil ways, and God bethought Himself of the evil which He had
spoken that He would do to them, and He did it not." Therefore say the
Rabbis, "Our brethren, neither sackcloth nor fasting will gain
forgiveness for sins; but repentance of the heart and good deeds; for it
is not said of the men of Nineveh, 'God saw their fasting and
sackcloth,' but 'God saw their work, that they had turned from their
evil ways.'"
Fifthly, of those who repent when trouble befalls them. How much nobler
is this than human nature! Instance Jephtah: "Did ye not hate me ... and
why are ye come unto me now when you are in distress?" But the infinite
mercy of our God accepts even such repentance; as it is written, "When
thou art in tribulation, and all these things have overtaken thee ...
then wilt thou return unto the Lord thy God." Founded upon this is the
proverb of the fathers, "Repentance and good deeds form a shield against
punishment."
Sixthly, the repentance of age. Even when man grows old and feeble, if
he repents truly, his atonement will be received. As the Psalmist says,
"Thou turnest man to contrition, and sayest, 'Return, ye children of
men.'" Meaning, man can return at any time or any age, "Return, ye
children of men."
Say the Rabbis, "Although a man has been righteous in his youth and
vigor, yet if he rebels against the will of God in his old age, the
merit of his former goodness shall be lost to him, as it is written,
'When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and doeth wrong,
and dieth therefor; through his wrong which he hath done must he die.'
But a man who has been wicked in his early days, and feels true sorrow
and penitence in his old age, shall not be called 'wicked' any more.
This, however, is not gracious penitence when it is so long delayed."
Seventhly, is the last degree of penitence. Of the one who is rebellious
against his Creator during all the days of his life; turns to Him only
when the hand of death is laid upon him.
Say the Rabbis, if a person is sick, and the hour of his decease
approaches, they who are by his deathbed should say to him, "Confess thy
sins to thy Creator."
They who are near the point of death should confess their shortcomings.
The sick man is as the man who is before a court of justice. The latter
may have advocates to defend him or laud his case, but the only
advocates of the former must be penitence and good deeds. As is written
in the Book of Job, "If there be now about him one single angel as
defender, one out of a thousand, to tell for man his uprightness; then
is he gracious unto him, and saith, 'Release him from going down to the
pit; I have found an atonement.'"
Thus we have seven different degrees of penitence, and he who neglects
them all must suffer in the world to come. Therefore fulfill the duties
laid upon you; repent as long as you are able to amend. As the Rabbis
say, 'Repent in the antechamber, that thou mayest enter the room of
state.'
"Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; wherefore will ye die, O house of
Israel!" exclaimed the prophet Ezekiel; and what does this warning mean?
without repentance ye shall die.
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