Chapter 7: Forgiveness

Footnote 6

(ט) אֵין הַתְּשׁוּבָה וְלֹא יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים מְכַפְּרִין אֶלָּא עַל עֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַמָּקוֹם כְּגוֹן מִי שֶׁאָכַל דָּבָר אָסוּר אוֹ בָּעַל בְּעִילָה אֲסוּרָה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן. אֲבָל עֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ כְּגוֹן הַחוֹבֵל אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ אוֹ הַמְקַלֵּל חֲבֵרוֹ אוֹ גּוֹזְלוֹ וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן אֵינוֹ נִמְחַל לוֹ לְעוֹלָם עַד שֶׁיִּתֵּן לַחֲבֵרוֹ מַה שֶּׁהוּא חַיָּב לוֹ וִירַצֵּהוּ. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֶחֱזִיר לוֹ מָמוֹן שֶׁהוּא חַיָּב לוֹ צָרִיךְ לְרַצּוֹתוֹ וְלִשְׁאל מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁיִּמְחל לוֹ. אֲפִלּוּ לֹא הִקְנִיט אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ אֶלָּא בִּדְבָרִים צָרִיךְ לְפַיְּסוֹ וְלִפְגֹּעַ בּוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּמְחל לוֹ. לֹא רָצָה חֲבֵרוֹ לִמְחל לוֹ מֵבִיא לוֹ שׁוּרָה שֶׁל שְׁלֹשָׁה בְּנֵי אָדָם מֵרֵעָיו וּפוֹגְעִין בּוֹ וּמְבַקְּשִׁין מִמֶּנּוּ. לֹא נִתְרַצָּה לָהֶן מֵבִיא לוֹ שְׁנִיָּה וּשְׁלִישִׁית. לֹא רָצָה מְנִיחוֹ וְהוֹלֵךְ לוֹ וְזֶה שֶׁלֹּא מָחַל הוּא הַחוֹטֵא. וְאִם הָיָה רַבּוֹ הוֹלֵךְ וּבָא אֲפִלּוּ אֶלֶף פְּעָמִים עַד שֶׁיִּמְחל לוֹ:

Mishneh Torah, Repentance 2:9

(9) Neither repentance nor the Day of Atonement atone for any save for sins committed between man and God, for instance, one who ate forbidden food, or had forbidden coition and the like; but sins between man and man, for instance, one injures his neighbor, or curses his neighbor or plunders him, or offends him in like matters, is ever not absolved unless he makes restitution of what he owes and begs the forgiveness of his neighbor. And, although he make restitution of the monetory debt, he is obliged to pacify him and to beg his forgiveness. Even he offended not his neighbor in aught save in words, he is obliged to appease him and implore him till he be forgiven by him. If his neighbor refuses a committee of three friends to forgive him, he should bring to implore and beg of him; if he still refuses he should bring a second, even a third committee, and if he remains obstinate, he may leave him to himself and pass on, for the sin then rests upon him who refuses forgiveness. But if it happened to be his master, he should go and come to him for forgiveness even a thousand times till he does forgive him.

Footnote 12

משנה תורה, הלכות תשובה ב׳:י׳

(י) אָסוּר לָאָדָם לִהְיוֹת אַכְזָרִי וְלֹא יִתְפַּיֵּס אֶלָּא יְהֵא נוֹחַ לִרְצוֹת וְקָשֶׁה לִכְעֹס וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁמְּבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ הַחוֹטֵא לִמְחל מוֹחֵל בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם וּבְנֶפֶשׁ חֲפֵצָה. וַאֲפִלּוּ הֵצֵר לוֹ וְחָטָא לוֹ הַרְבֵּה לֹא יִקֹּם וְלֹא יִטֹּר. וְזֶהוּ דַּרְכָּם שֶׁל זֶרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלִבָּם הַנָּכוֹן. אֲבָל הָעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים עַרְלֵי לֵב אֵינָן כֵּן אֶלָּא (וְעֶבְרָתָן) [וְעֶבְרָתוֹ] שְׁמָרָה נֶצַח. וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר עַל הַגִּבְעוֹנִים לְפִי שֶׁלֹּא מָחֲלוּ וְלֹא נִתְפַּיְּסוּ וְהַגִּבְעֹנִים לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה:

Mishneh Torah, Repentance 2:10

(10) It is forbidden for man to be ill-natured and unforgiving, for he must be easily appeased but unwidely to wrath; and when a sinner implores him for pardon, he should grant him pardon wholeheartedly and soulfully. Even if one persecuted him and sinned against him exceedingly he should not be vengeful and grudge-bearing, for such is the path of the seed of Israel and of their excellent heart. Only the idolaters are not so, they are of uncircumcised heart, and their wrath is ever-watchful; and, because the Gibonites were unforgiving and unappeasing, that of them it is said: "Now the Gibonites were not of the children of Israel" (II. Samuel, 21.2).

Footnote 13

יומא פ״ז א

בִּצְבוּ נַפְשֵׁיהּ לִקְטָלָא נָפֵיק, וּצְבוּ בֵּיתֵיהּ לֵית הוּא עָבֵיד, וְרֵיקָן לְבֵיתֵיהּ אָזֵיל, וּלְוַאי שֶׁתְּהֵא בִּיאָה כִּיצִיאָה. וְכִי הָוֵי חָזֵי אַמְבּוּהָא אַבָּתְרֵיהּ, אָמַר: ״אִם יַעֲלֶה לַשָּׁמַיִם שִׂיאוֹ וְרֹאשׁוֹ לָעָב יַגִּיעַ. כְּגֶלֲלוֹ לָנֶצַח יֹאבֵד רוֹאָיו יֹאמְרוּ אַיּוֹ״. רַב זוּטְרָא, כִּי הֲווֹ מְכַתְּפִי לֵיהּ בְּשַׁבְּתָא דְרִיגְלָא, הֲוָה אָמַר: ״כִּי לֹא לְעוֹלָם חֹסֶן וְאִם נֵזֶר לְדוֹר וָדוֹר״. ״שְׂאֵת פְּנֵי רָשָׁע לֹא טוֹב״ — לֹא טוֹב לָהֶם לָרְשָׁעִים שֶׁנּוֹשְׂאִין לָהֶם פָּנִים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה. לֹא טוֹב לוֹ לְאַחְאָב שֶׁנָּשְׂאוּ לוֹ פָּנִים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יַעַן כִּי נִכְנַע (אַחְאָב מִלְּפָנָי) לֹא אָבִיא הָרָעָה בְּיָמָיו״. ״לְהַטּוֹת צַדִּיק בַּמִּשְׁפָּט״ — טוֹב לָהֶם לַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁאֵין נוֹשְׂאִין לָהֶם פָּנִים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה. טוֹב לוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה שֶׁלֹּא נָשְׂאוּ לוֹ פָּנִים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יַעַן לֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי לְהַקְדִּישֵׁנִי״, הָא אִילּוּ הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי — עֲדַיִין לֹא הִגִּיעַ זְמַנָּם לִיפָּטֵר מִן הָעוֹלָם. אַשְׁרֵיהֶם לַצַּדִּיקִים, לֹא דַּיָּין שֶׁהֵן זוֹכִין, אֶלָּא שֶׁמְּזַכִּין לִבְנֵיהֶם וְלִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם עַד סוֹף כׇּל הַדּוֹרוֹת. שֶׁכַּמָּה בָּנִים הָיוּ לוֹ לְאַהֲרֹן שֶׁרְאוּיִין לִישָּׂרֵף כְּנָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הַנּוֹתָרִים״, אֶלָּא שֶׁעָמַד לָהֶם זְכוּת אֲבִיהֶם. אוֹי לָהֶם לָרְשָׁעִים, לֹא דַּיָּין שֶׁמְּחַיְּיבִין עַצְמָן, אֶלָּא שֶׁמְּחַיְּיבִין לִבְנֵיהֶם וְלִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם עַד סוֹף כׇּל הַדּוֹרוֹת. הַרְבֵּה בָּנִים הָיוּ לוֹ לִכְנַעַן שֶׁרְאוּיִין לִיסָּמֵךְ כְּטָבִי עַבְדּוֹ שֶׁל רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, אֶלָּא שֶׁחוֹבַת אֲבִיהֶם גָּרְמָה לָהֶן. כׇּל הַמְזַכֶּה אֶת הָרַבִּים — אֵין חֵטְא בָּא עַל יָדוֹ, וְכׇל הַמַּחְטִיא אֶת הָרַבִּים — כִּמְעַט אֵין מַסְפִּיקִין בְּיָדוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה. כׇּל הַמְזַכֶּה אֶת הָרַבִּים — אֵין חֵטְא בָּא עַל יָדוֹ, מַאי טַעְמָא? כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא הוּא בְּגֵיהִנָּם וְתַלְמִידָיו בְּגַן עֵדֶן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לֹא תַעֲזוֹב נַפְשִׁי לִשְׁאוֹל לֹא תִתֵּן חֲסִידְךָ לִרְאוֹת שָׁחַת״. וְכׇל הַמַּחְטִיא אֶת הָרַבִּים — אֵין מַסְפִּיקִין בְּיָדוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה, שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא הוּא בְּגַן עֵדֶן וְתַלְמִידָיו בְּגֵיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָדָם עָשׁוּק בְּדַם נָפֶשׁ עַד בּוֹר יָנוּס אַל יִתְמְכוּ בוֹ״. הָאוֹמֵר אֶחֱטָא וְאָשׁוּב אֶחֱטָא וְאָשׁוּב. לְמָה לִי לְמֵימַר ״אֶחֱטָא וְאָשׁוּב, אֶחֱטָא וְאָשׁוּב״ תְּרֵי זִימְנֵי? כִּדְרַב הוּנָא אָמַר רַב. דְּאָמַר רַב הוּנָא אָמַר רַב: כֵּיוָן שֶׁעָבַר אָדָם עֲבֵירָה וְשָׁנָה בָּהּ — הוּתְּרָה לוֹ. הוּתְּרָה לוֹ סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ?! אֶלָּא: נַעֲשֵׂית לוֹ כְּהֶיתֵּר. אֶחֱטָא וְיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים מְכַפֵּר — אֵין יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים מְכַפֵּר. לֵימָא מַתְנִיתִין דְּלָא כְּרַבִּי. דְּתַנְיָא, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר: עַל כׇּל עֲבֵירוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, בֵּין עָשָׂה תְּשׁוּבָה בֵּין לֹא עָשָׂה תְּשׁוּבָה — יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים מְכַפֵּר! אֲפִילּוּ תֵּימָא רַבִּי, אַגַּב שָׁאנֵי. עֲבֵירוֹת שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַמָּקוֹם וְכוּ׳. רָמֵי לֵיהּ רַב יוֹסֵף בַּר חָבוּ לְרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ: עֲבֵירוֹת שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵירוֹ אֵין יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים מְכַפֵּר? וְהָא כְּתִיב: ״אִם יֶחֱטָא אִישׁ לְאִישׁ וּפִלְלוֹ אֱלֹהִים״! מַאן אֱלֹהִים — דַּיָּינָא. אִי הָכִי, אֵימָא סֵיפָא: ״וְאִם לַה׳ יֶחֱטָא אִישׁ מִי יִתְפַּלֶּל לוֹ״! הָכִי קָאָמַר: ״אִם יֶחֱטָא אִישׁ לְאִישׁ וּפִלְלוֹ אֱלֹהִים״ — יִמְחוֹל לוֹ. ״וְאִם לַה׳ יֶחֱטָא אִישׁ מִי יִתְפַּלֶּל בַּעֲדוֹ״ — תְּשׁוּבָה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: כׇּל הַמַּקְנִיט אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ, אֲפִילּוּ בִּדְבָרִים — צָרִיךְ לְפַיְּיסוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּנִי אִם עָרַבְתָּ לְרֵעֶךָ תָּקַעְתָּ לַזָּר כַּפֶּיךָ נוֹקַשְׁתָּ בְאִמְרֵי פִיךָ עֲשֵׂה זֹאת אֵפוֹא בְּנִי וְהִנָּצֵל כִּי בָאתָ בְכַף רֵעֶךָ לֵךְ הִתְרַפֵּס וּרְהַב רֵעֶיךָ״. אִם מָמוֹן יֵשׁ בְּיָדְךָ — הַתֵּר לוֹ פִּסַּת יָד, וְאִם לָאו — הַרְבֵּה עָלָיו רֵיעִים. (וְאָמַר) רַב חִסְדָּא: וְצָרִיךְ לְפַיְּיסוֹ בְּשָׁלֹשׁ שׁוּרוֹת שֶׁל שְׁלֹשָׁה בְּנֵי אָדָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יָשׁוֹר עַל אֲנָשִׁים וַיֹּאמֶר חָטָאתִי וְיָשָׁר הֶעֱוֵיתִי וְלֹא שָׁוָה לִי״. (וְאָמַר) רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר חֲנִינָא: כׇּל הַמְבַקֵּשׁ מָטוּ מֵחֲבֵירוֹ, אַל יְבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ יוֹתֵר מִשָּׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אָנָּא שָׂא נָא וְעַתָּה שָׂא נָא״. וְאִם מֵת — מֵבִיא עֲשָׂרָה בְּנֵי אָדָם וּמַעֲמִידָן עַל קִבְרוֹ, וְאוֹמֵר: חָטָאתִי לַה׳ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלִפְלוֹנִי שֶׁחָבַלְתִּי בּוֹ. רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה הֲוָה לֵיהּ מִילְּתָא לְרַבִּי אַבָּא בַּהֲדֵיהּ, אֲזַל אִיתִּיב אַדַּשָּׁא דְּרַבִּי אַבָּא בַּהֲדֵי דְּשָׁדְיָא אַמְּתֵיהּ מַיָּא, מְטָא זַרְזִיפֵי דְמַיָּא אַרֵישָׁא. אָמַר: עֲשָׂאוּנִי כְּאַשְׁפָּה. קְרָא אַנַּפְשֵׁיהּ: ״מֵאַשְׁפּוֹת יָרִים אֶבְיוֹן״. שְׁמַע רַבִּי אַבָּא וּנְפֵיק לְאַפֵּיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַשְׁתָּא צְרִיכְנָא לְמִיפַּק אַדַּעְתָּךְ, דִּכְתִיב: ״לֵךְ הִתְרַפֵּס וּרְהַב רֵעֶיךָ״. רַבִּי זֵירָא כִּי הֲוָה לֵיהּ מִילְּתָא בַּהֲדֵי אִינִישׁ, הֲוָה חָלֵיף וְתָנֵי לְקַמֵּיהּ וּמַמְצֵי לֵיהּ, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּנֵיתֵי וְנִיפּוֹק לֵיהּ מִדַּעְתֵּיהּ. רַב הֲוָה לֵיהּ מִילְּתָא בַּהֲדֵי הָהוּא טַבָּחָא, לָא אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ. בְּמַעֲלֵי יוֹמָא דְכִפּוּרֵי אֲמַר אִיהוּ: אֵיזִיל אֲנָא לְפַיּוֹסֵי לֵיהּ. פְּגַע בֵּיהּ רַב הוּנָא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לְהֵיכָא קָא אָזֵיל מָר, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לְפַיּוֹסֵי לִפְלָנְיָא. אָמַר: אָזֵיל אַבָּא לְמִיקְטַל נַפְשָׁא. אֲזַל וְקָם עִילָּוֵיהּ. הֲוָה יָתֵיב וְקָא פָלֵי רֵישָׁא, דַּלִּי עֵינֵיהּ וְחַזְיֵיהּ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַבָּא אַתְּ? זִיל, לֵית לִי מִילְּתָא בַּהֲדָךְ. בַּהֲדֵי דְּקָא פָלֵי רֵישָׁא, אִישְׁתְּמִיט גַּרְמָא וּמַחְיֵיהּ בְּקוֹעֵיהּ וְקַטְלֵיהּ. רַב הֲוָה פָּסֵיק סִידְרָא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי. עֲיַיל

Yoma 87a

Of his own will, he goes to die; and he does not fulfill the will of his household, and he goes empty-handed to his household; and if only his entrance would be like his exit. And when he saw a line of people [ambuha] following after him out of respect for him, he said: “Though his excellency ascends to the heavens, and his head reaches to the clouds, yet he shall perish forever like his own dung; they who have seen him will say: Where is he?” (Job 20:6–7). This teaches that when one achieves power, it can lead to his downfall. When they would carry Rav Zutra on their shoulders during the Shabbat of the Festival when he taught, he would recite the following to avoid becoming arrogant: “For power is not forever, and does the crown endure for all generations?” (Proverbs 27:24). § It was further taught: “It is not good to respect the person of the wicked” (Proverbs 18:5), meaning, it is not good for wicked people when they are respected in this world and are not punished for their sins. For example, it was not good for Ahab to be respected in this world, as it is stated: “Because he humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days” (I Kings 21:29), and Ahab thereby lost his share in the World-to-Come. The opposite is also true. The complete verse states: “It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, to turn aside the righteous in judgment” (Proverbs 18:5), meaning: It is good for the righteous when they are not respected in this world and are punished in this world for their sins. For example, it was good for Moses that he was not respected in this world, as it is stated: “Because you did not believe in Me, to sanctify Me” (Numbers 20:12). The Gemara analyzes this: Had you believed in Me, your time still would not have come to depart the world. They said: Fortunate are the righteous because not only do they accumulate merit for themselves, but they accumulate merit for their children and their children’s children until the end of all generations; as there were several sons of Aaron who essentially deserved to be burned like Nadav and Avihu, as it is stated: “The sons of Aaron who were left” (Leviticus 10:16), implying that others were left as well although they deserved to be burned with their brothers. But the merit of their father protected them, and they and their descendants were priests for all time. On the other hand: Woe to the wicked, as not only do they render themselves liable, but they also render their children and children’s children liable until the end of all generations. For example, Canaan had many children who deserved to be ordained as rabbis and instructors of the public due to their great stature in Torah study, like Tavi, the servant of Rabban Gamliel, who was famous for his wisdom; but their father’s liability caused them to remain as slaves. Furthermore: Whoever accumulates merit for the public will not have sin come to his hand, and God protects him from failing; but whoever causes the public to sin has almost no ability to repent. The Gemara explains: What is the reason that whoever accumulates merit for the public will not have sin come to his hand? It is so that he will not be in Gehenna while his students are in the Garden of Eden, as it is stated: “For You will not abandon my soul to the nether-world; neither will You suffer Your godly one to see the pit” (Psalms 16:10). On the other hand, whoever causes the public to sin has almost no ability to repent, so that he will not be in the Garden of Eden while his students are in Gehenna, as it is stated: “A man who is laden with the blood of any person shall hasten his steps to the pit; none will support him” (Proverbs 28:17). Since he oppressed others and caused them to sin, he shall have no escape. § The Gemara returns to interpreting the mishna. It states there that one who says: I will sin and I will repent, I will sin and I will repent, is not given the opportunity to repent.The Gemara asks: Why do I need the mishna to say twice: I will sin and I will repent, I will sin and repent? The Gemara explains that this is in accordance with that which Rav Huna said that Rav said, as Rav Huna said that Rav said: Once a person commits a transgression and repeats it, it becomes permitted to him. The Gemara is surprised at this: Can it enter your mind that it becomes permitted to him? Rather, say that it becomes to him as though it were permitted. Consequently, the sinner who repeats his sin has difficulty abandoning his sin, and the repetition of his sin is reflected in the repetition of the phrase. It is stated in the mishna that if one says: I will sin and Yom Kippur will atone for my sins, Yom Kippur does not atone for his sins. The Gemara comments: Let us say that the mishna is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, as it was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: Yom Kippur atones for all transgressions of the Torah, whether one repented or did not repent. The Gemara answers: Even if you say that the mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, it is different when it is on the basis of being permitted to sin. Even Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi agrees that Yom Kippur does not atone for the transgressions one commits only because he knows that Yom Kippur will atone for them. § It was taught in the mishna: Yom Kippur atones for sins committed against God but does not atone for sins committed against another person. Rav Yosef bar Ḥavu raised a contradiction before Rabbi Abbahu: The mishna states that Yom Kippur does not atone for sins committed against a fellow person, but isn’t it written: “If one man sin against another, God [Elohim] shall judge him [ufilelo]” (I Samuel 2:25). The word ufilelo, which may also refer to prayer, implies that if he prays, God will grant the sinner forgiveness. He answered him: Who is Elohim mentioned in the verse? It is referring to a judge [elohim] and not to God, and the word ufilelo in the verse indicates judgment. Atonement occurs only after justice has been done toward the injured party by means of a court ruling. Rav Yosef bar Ḥavu said to him: If so, say the following with regard to the latter clause of the verse: “But if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat [yitpallel] for him?” (I Samuel 2:25). This is difficult, since it has been established that the root pll is interpreted in this verse as indicating judgment, and therefore the latter clause of the verse implies that if one sins toward God there is no one to judge him. Rabbi Abbahu answered him: This is what the verse is saying: If one man sins against another, God [Elohim] shall forgive him [ufilelo]; if the sinner appeases the person against whom he has sinned, he will be forgiven. But if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat [yitpallel] for him? Repentance and good deeds. The root pll is to be interpreted as indicating forgiveness rather than judgment. § Rabbi Yitzḥak said: One who angers his friend, even only verbally, must appease him, as it is stated: “My son, if you have become a guarantor for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands for a stranger, you are snared by the words of your mouth… Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, seeing you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself [hitrapes] and urge [rehav] your neighbor” (Proverbs 6:1–3). This should be understood as follows: If you have money that you owe him, open the palm of [hater pisat] your hand to your neighbor and pay the money that you owe; and if not, if you have sinned against him verbally, increase [harbe] friends for him, i.e., send many people as your messengers to ask him for forgiveness. Rav Ḥisda said: And one must appease the one he has insulted with three rows of three people, as it is stated: “He comes [yashor] before men, and says: I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not” (Job 33:27). Rav Ḥisda interprets the word yashor as related to the word shura, row. The verse mentions sin three times: I have sinned, and perverted, and it profited me not. This implies that one should make three rows before the person from whom he is asking forgiveness. Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina said: Anyone who asks forgiveness of his friend should not ask more than three times, as it is stated: “Please, please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did evil to you. And now, please forgive” (Genesis 50:17). The verse uses the word please three times, which shows that one need not ask more than three times, after which the insulted friend must be appeased and forgive. And if the insulted friend dies before he can be appeased, one brings ten people, and stands them at the grave of the insulted friend, and says in front of them: I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and against so-and-so whom I wounded. The Gemara relates that Rabbi Yirmeya insulted Rabbi Abba, causing the latter to have a complaint against him. Rabbi Yirmeya went and sat at the threshold of Rabbi Abba’s house to beg him for forgiveness. When Rabbi Abba’s maid poured out the dirty water from the house, the stream of water landed on Rabbi Yirmeya’s head. He said about himself: They have made me into a trash heap, as they are pouring dirty water on me. He recited this verse about himself: “Who lifts up the needy out of the trash heap” (Psalms 113:7). Rabbi Abba heard what happened and went out to greet him. Rabbi Abba said to him: Now I must go out to appease you for this insult, as it is written: “Go, humble yourself [hitrapes] and urge your neighbor” (Proverbs 6:3). It is related that when Rabbi Zeira had a complaint against a person who insulted him, he would pace back and forth before him and present himself, so that the person could come and appease him. Rabbi Zeira made himself available so that it would be easy for the other person to apologize to him. It is further related that Rav had a complaint against a certain butcher who insulted him. The butcher did not come before him to apologize. On Yom Kippur eve, Rav said: I will go and appease him. He met his student Rav Huna, who said to him: Where is my Master going? He said to him: I am going to appease so-and-so. Rav Huna called Rav by his name and said: Abba is going to kill a person, for surely that person’s end will not be good. Rav went and stood by him. He found the butcher sitting and splitting the head of an animal. The butcher raised his eyes and saw him. He said to him: Are you Abba? Go, I have nothing to say to you. While he was splitting the head, one of the bones of the head flew out and struck him in the throat and killed him, thereby fulfilling Rav Huna’s prediction. The Gemara further relates: Rav was reciting the Torah portion before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi.

Footnote 14

משנה בבא קמא ח׳:ז׳

(ז) אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא נוֹתֵן לוֹ, אֵין נִמְחָל לוֹ עַד שֶׁיְּבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית כ) וְעַתָּה הָשֵׁב אֵשֶׁת וְגוֹ'. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא הַמּוֹחֵל אַכְזָרִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שם) וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל אַבְרָהָם אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים וַיִּרְפָּא אֱלֹהִים אֶת אֲבִימֶלֶךְ וְגוֹ'. הָאוֹמֵר סַמֵּא אֶת עֵינִי, קְטַע אֶת יָדִי, שְׁבֹר אֶת רַגְלִי, חַיָּב. עַל מְנָת לִפְטֹר, חַיָּב. קְרַע אֶת כְּסוּתִי, שְׁבֹר אֶת כַּדִּי, חַיָּב. עַל מְנָת לִפְטֹר, פָּטוּר. עֲשֵׂה כֵן לְאִישׁ פְּלוֹנִי, עַל מְנָת לִפְטֹר, חַיָּב, בֵּין בְּגוּפוֹ בֵּין בְּמָמוֹנוֹ:

Mishnah Bava Kamma 8:7

(7) Despite the fact that the assailant who caused damage gives to the victim all of the required payments for the injury, his transgression is not forgiven for him in the heavenly court until he requests forgiveness from the victim, as it is stated that God told Abimelech after he had taken Sarah from Abraham: “Now therefore restore the wife of the man; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for you, and you shall live” (Genesis 20:7). And from where is it derived that if the victim does not forgive him that he is cruel? As it is stated: “And Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bore children” (Genesis 20:17). The mishna continues: With regard to one who says to another: Blind my eye, or: cut off my hand, or: break my leg, and he does so, the one who performed these actions is liable to pay for the damage, despite having been instructed to do so. Even if he explicitly instructed him: Do so on the condition that you will be exempt from payment, he is nevertheless liable. With regard to one who says to another: Tear my garment, or: break my jug, and he does so, he is liable to pay for the damage. But if he instructed him explicitly: Do so on the condition that you will be exempt from payment, he is exempt from payment. If one says to another: Do so, i.e., cause damage, to so-and-so on the condition that you will be exempt from payment, and he did so, he is liable, whether the instructions were with regard to the victim himself, or whether the instructions were with regard to his property.

Footnote 15

במדבר רבה י״ט:כ״ג

(כג) וַיָּבֹא הָעָם אֶל משֶׁה וַיֹּאמְרוּ חָטָאנוּ (במדבר כא, ז), יָדְעוּ שֶׁדִּבְּרוּ בְּמשֶׁה וְנִשְׁתַּטְּחוּ לְפָנָיו וְאָמְרוּ (במדבר כא, ז): הִתְפַּלֵּל אֶל ה' וְיָסֵר מֵעָלֵינוּ וגו', נָחָשׁ יָחִיד הָיָה, (במדבר כא, ז): וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל, לְהוֹדִיעֲךָ עִנְוְתָנוּתוֹ שֶׁל משֶׁה, שֶׁלֹא נִשְׁתַּהָה לְבַקֵּשׁ עֲלֵיהֶם רַחֲמִים, וּלְהוֹדִיעֲךָ כֹּחַ הַתְּשׁוּבָה, כֵּיוָן שֶׁאָמְרוּ חָטָאנוּ מִיָּד נִתְרַצָּה לָהֶם, שֶׁאֵין הַמּוֹחֵל נַעֲשָׂה אַכְזָרִי, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (בראשית כ, יז): וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל אַבְרָהָם אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים וַיִּרְפָּא אֱלֹהִים. וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר (איוב מב, י): וַה' שָׁב אֶת שְׁבוּת אִיּוֹב בְּהִתְפַּלְּלוֹ בְּעַד רֵעֵהוּ. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁאִם סָרַח אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ וְאָמַר לוֹ חָטָאתִי, שֶׁנִּקְרָא חוֹטֵא אִם אֵינוֹ מוֹחֵל לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א יב, כג): גַּם אָנֹכִי חָלִילָה לִּי מֵחֲטֹא לַה' מֵחֲדֹל לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בַּעַדְכֶם, אֵימָתַי כְּשֶׁבָּאוּ וְאָמְרוּ חָטָאנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א יב, יט): [ויאמרו כל העם אל שמואל התפלל בעד עבדיך וגו' כי יספנו על כל חטאתינו] וַיֹּאמֶר הָעָם אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל חָטָאנוּ כִּי עָבַרְנוּ אֶת פִּי ה' וְאֶת דְּבָרֶיךָ, הֵשִׁיב: חָלִילָה לִי מֵחֲטֹא לַה'. (במדבר כא, ח): וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל משֶׁה עֲשֵׂה לְךָ שָׂרָף, וְהָיָה כָּל הַנָּשׁוּךְ, לֹא נְשׁוּךְ נָחָשׁ בִּלְבָד אֶלָּא אָמַר כָּל הַנָּשׁוּךְ, אֲפִלּוּ נָשׁוּךְ מִפֶּתֶן וְעַקְרָב וְחַיָּה רָעָה וְכֶלֶב. (במדבר כא, ט): וַיַּעַשׂ משֶׁה נְחַשׁ נְחשֶׁת וַיְשִׂמֵהוּ עַל הַנֵּס, זְרָקוֹ לָאֲוִיר וְעָמָד.

Bamidbar Rabbah 19:23

(23) 23 (Numb. 21:7) “Then the people came unto Moses and said, ‘We have sinned’”: [They] knew that they had spoken against Moses, so they fell prostrate before him and said (ibid., cont.), “pray unto the Lord to remove [the serpent] from us….” There was one serpent. [(Ibid., cont.) “And he prayed”: The passage serves] to make Moses' humility known to you, in that he did not hesitate to seek mercy for them. And [it is also] to make the power of repentance known to you. As soon as they said, “We have sinned,” he was immediately reconciled to them. [The passage serves] to teach you that the one who forgives should not be cruel. And so too does it say (in Gen. 20:17), “Abraham then prayed to God, and God healed [Abimelech and his wife].” And so does it say (in Job 42:10), “The Lord restored Job’s fortunes when he prayed on behalf of his friends.” And where is it shown that if one has sinned against his companion and says to him, “I have sinned,” without [the companion] forgiving him, that [the unforgiving one] is called a sinner? Where it is stated (in I Sam. 12:23), “As for me also, far be it for me to sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray on your behalf.” When? When they came and said to him, “We have sinned,” [as stated] (in I Sam. 12:10), “and [they] said, ‘We have sinned […].’” And he answered, “Far be it from me to sin.” (Numb. 21:8), “And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, [and put it on a pole]; then it shall come to pass that, when anyone bitten [looks at it, he shall live],” not only one bitten by a serpent, but anyone bitten, even one bitten by an adder, by a scorpion, a wild beast, or a dog. (Numb. 21:9) “So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it up by a miracle”: He tossed it into the air and it remained there.

Footnote 17

תלמוד ירושלמי בבא קמא ח׳:ז׳

משנה: אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא נוֹתֵן לוֹ אֵינוֹ נִמְחָל לוֹ עַד שֶׁיְּבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וְעַתָּה הָשֵׁב אֵשֶׁת הָאִישׁ כִּי נָבִיא הוּא. וּמְנַיִין שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא הַמּוֹחֵל אַכְזָרִי שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל אַבְרָהָם אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים וגו׳. הלכה: אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהוּא נוֹתֵן לוֹ כול׳. [וְכֵן אַתָּה מוֹצֵא בְּרֵיעֵי אִיּוֹב וְעַתָּה קְחוּ לָכֶם שִׁבְעָה פָרִים וְשִׁבְעָה אֵלִים וגו׳ וַיֵּלְכוּ אֱלִיפַז הַתֵּימָנִי וּבִלְדַּד הַשּׁוּחִי וְצוֹפַר הַנַּעֲמָתִי וַיַּעֲשׂוּ וגו׳ וּבְסוֹף הָעִנְייָן מַהוּא אוֹמֵר וַײ֨ שָׁב אֶת שְׁבוּת אִיּוֹב אֵימָתִיי בְּהִתְפַּלְּלוֹ בְּעַד רֵעֵהוּ וגו׳ וַיּוֹסֵף ײ֨ אֶת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר לְאִיּוֹב לְמִשְׁנֶה.] תַּנֵּי. רִבִּי יוּדָה אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל. הֲרֵי הוּא אוֹמֵר וְנָתַן לְךָ רַחֲמִים וגו׳. סֵימָן זֶה יְהֵא בְיָדָךְ. כָּל־זְמַן שֶׁאַתְּ רַחֲמָן הַמָּקוֹם מְרַחֵם עָלֶיךָ. אֵינְךָ מְרַחֵם אֵין הַמָּקוֹם מְרַחֵם לָךְ. רַב אָמַר. אָדָם שֶׁסָּרַח לַחֲבֵירוֹ וּבִיקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ וְלֹא קִיבְּלוֹ יַעֲשֶׂה שׁוּרַת בְּנֵי אָדָם וִיפַייְסֶנּוּ. דִּכְתִיב יָשׁוֹר עַל אֲנָשִׁים וגו׳. וְאִם עָשָׂה כֵן מַה כָתוּב תַּמָּן. פָּדָה מִשְּׁאוֹל נַפְשׁוֹ מֵעֲבוֹר בַּשַּׁחַת וגו׳. אָמַר רִבִּי יוֹסֵי. הָדָא דְתֵימַר שֶׁלֹּא הוֹצִיא לוֹ שֵׁם רַע. אֲבָל הוֹצִיא לוֹ שֵׁם רַע אֵין לוֹ מְחִילָה עוֹלָמִית.

Jerusalem Talmud Bava Kamma 8:7

MISHNAH: Even though he did pay, he will not be forgiven unless he asks for forgiveness, as it is said: “Now return the man’s wife since he is a prophet.” From where that the person asked to forgive shall not be cruel? It is said: “Abraham prayed to the Omnipotent, etc.” HALAKHAH: “Even though he did pay,” etc. [And so you find with Job’s friends. “Now yourselves take seven bulls and seven rams, etc.” “Eliphas the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Ṣophar the Naamite went and did, etc.” What does it say at the end? “The Eternal changed Job’s fortunes.” When? “When he was praying for his neighbor, etc.” “The Eternal doubled everything that Job had had.”] It was stated: Rebbi Jehudah says in the name of Rabban Gamliel. Since it says that “He will give you mercy etc.”, let the following be a sign in your hand: Whenever that you show mercy, the Omnipresent will have mercy on you. If you do not show mercy, the Omnipresent will not have mercy on you. Rav said: If a person misbehaved towards another and asked for pardon but the other did not respond, let him assemble a row of people and ask for pardon, as it is written: “Form a row of men, etc.” If he does so, what is written there? “He redeemed his soul from the pit, not to go to destruction etc.” Rebbi Yose said, that is if he did not defame, but the defamer is never pardoned.

Footnote 29

שולחן ערוך, אורח חיים תר״ו

(א) שיפייס אדם חבירו בערב יום כפור ובו ד"ס:
עבירות שבין אדם לחבירו אין יום הכפורים מכפר עד שיפייסנו ואפילו לא הקניטו אלא בדברים צריך לפייסו ואם אינו מתפייס בראשונה יחזור וילך פעם שניה ושלישית ובכל פעם יקח עמו שלשה אנשים ואם אינו מתפייס בשלשה פעמים אינו זקוק לו (מיהו יאמר אח"כ לפני עשרה שביקש ממנו מחילה) . (מרדכי דיומא ומהרי"ל) ואם הוא רבו צריך לילך לו כמה פעמים עד שיתפייס: הגה והמוחל לא יהיה אכזרי מלמחול (מהרי"ל) אם לא שמכוין לטובת המבקש מחילה (גמרא דיומא) ואם הוציא עליו שם רע א"צ למחול לו (מרדכי וסמ"ק והגה"מ פ"ב מהלכות תשובה ומהרי"ו):

(ב) אם מת אשר חטא לו מביא עשרה בני אדם ומעמידם על קברו ואומר חטאתי לאלהי ישראל ולפלוני זה שחטאתי לו (ונהגו לבקש מחילה בערב יו"כ) (מרדכי דיומא):

(ג) תקנת קדמונינו וחרם שלא להוציא שם רע על המתים:

(ד) יכול לטבול וללקות מתי שירצה רק שיהיה קודם הלילה ואינו מברך על הטבילה: הגה ואין צריך לטבול רק פעם אחת בלא וידוי משום קרי והוא הדין דהטלת ט' קבין מים נמי מהני (מהרי"ו וכל בו ותשב"ץ) . מי שמת לו מת בין ר"ה ליוה"כ מותר לרחוץ ולטבול בעיו"כ דיום כפור מבטל שבעה (מהרי"ל הלכות שמחות) אע"פ שנהגו שלא לרחוץ כל שלשים טבילת מצוה מותר (דעת עצמו):

Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 606

(1) “A man should appease his friend (i.e., a person whom he wronged) on the Eve of Yom Kippur” - Containing four paragraphs.
Yom Kippur does not atone for sins between a man and his comrad (fellow-man) until he conciliates him. Even if he angered him only in words, he is required to appease him (his fellow-man). And if at first he is not pacified, he (must) return and go to him a second and third time. Each time he should take three men with him, and if on the third time he does not become reconciled he (no longer) is obligated to him, (nevertheless afterwards he should say before ten (people) that he did request forgiveness from him), (מרדכי דיומא ומהרי״ל). If he (i.e., the person who was wronged) was his teacher, he must go to him many times until he becomes appeased.
Hagah: The person to forgive should not be cruel by refusing forgiveness (to the one seeking forgiveness), (מהרי״ל), unless his intent is for the good of the one requesting forgiveness, (גמרא דיומא). But if one caused him (the wronged person) a bad name, there is no necessity in forgiving him, (מרדכי וסמ״ק והגה״מ פ״ב מהלכות תשובה ומהרי״ו).

(2) If a man against whom he sinned died, (the man who sinned) brings ten people and let them stand on his (the dead man’s) grave and he (the sinner) says, “I have sinned against the God of Israel, and against this “person” who I sinned against him,” (and it was customary to seek forgiveness on the Eve of Yom Kippur), (מרדכי דיומא).

(3) Early rabbinic authorities decreed, coupled with “חרם”, ban, that the living should not slander the dead.

(4) One may immerse (inaritual bath) and accept lashes (to effect atonement) whenever desired provided that it is before nightfall, but one does not bless over the immersion.
Hagah: One needs to immerse one time without a confession because of pollution (urinary emmission). The same holds true if one pours nine kavs of water (upon himself), (if the immersion pains him, (מגן אברהם),), this is also effective, (מהרי״ו וכל בו ותשב״צ). One who incurs a death between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, it is permissible to wash and to immerse on the Eve of Yom Kippur because Yom Kippur cancels the “shiva”, (the seven day mourning period), (מהרי״ל, הלכות שמחות). Even though it is customary not to wash (bath) during the entire “sheloshim”, (thirty day mourning period), a commanded immersion is permitted, (דעת עצמו).

Footnote 30

בבא בתרא פ״ח ב

וְחַיָּיב לְהַכְרִיעַ לוֹ טֶפַח הָיָה שׁוֹקֵל לוֹ עַיִן בְּעַיִן נוֹתֵן לוֹ גֵּירוּמִין אֶחָד לַעֲשָׂרָה בַּלַּח וְאֶחָד לְעֶשְׂרִים בַּיָּבֵשׁ מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ לָמוֹד בְּדַקָּה לֹא יָמוֹד בְּגַסָּה בְּגַסָּה לֹא יָמוֹד בְּדַקָּה לִמְחוֹק לֹא יִגְדּוֹשׁ לִגְדּוֹשׁ לֹא יִמְחוֹק: גְּמָ׳ מְנָהָנֵי מִילֵּי אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ דְּאָמַר קְרָא אֶבֶן שְׁלֵמָה וָצֶדֶק צַדֵּק מִשֶּׁלְּךָ וְתֵן לוֹ אִי הָכִי אֵימָא סֵיפָא הָיָה שׁוֹקֵל לוֹ עַיִן בְּעַיִן נוֹתֵן לוֹ גֵּירוּמִין וְאִי הַכְרָעָה דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא הֵיכִי יָהֵיב לֵיהּ עַיִן בְּעַיִן אֶלָּא רֵישָׁא בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ וְאִי אִיתְּמַר דְּרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אַסֵּיפָא אִיתְּמַר הָיָה שׁוֹקֵל לוֹ עַיִן בְּעַיִן נוֹתֵן לוֹ גֵּירוּמִין מְנָהָנֵי מִילֵּי אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ דְּאָמַר קְרָא וָצֶדֶק צַדֵּק מִשֶּׁלְּךָ וְתֵן לוֹ וְכַמָּה גֵּירוּמִין אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר מֶמֶל אָמַר רַב אֶחָד מֵעֲשָׂרָה בַּלִּיטְרָא בַּלַּח לַעֲשָׂרָה לִיטְרִין: אֶחָד לַעֲשָׂרָה בַּלַּח וְאֶחָד לְעֶשְׂרִים בְּיָבֵשׁ וְכוּ׳ אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ הֵיכִי קָאָמַר אֶחָד מֵעֲשָׂרָה בַּלַּח לַעֲשָׂרָה דְלַח וְאֶחָד מֵעֶשְׂרִים בַּיָּבֵשׁ לְעֶשְׂרִים דְּיָבֵשׁ אוֹ דִלְמָא אֶחָד מֵעֲשָׂרָה לַעֲשָׂרָה דְּלַח וּלְעֶשְׂרִים דְּיָבֵשׁ תֵּיקוּ אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי קָשֶׁה עוֹנְשָׁן שֶׁל מִדּוֹת יוֹתֵר מֵעוֹנְשָׁן שֶׁל עֲרָיוֹת שֶׁזֶּה נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן אֵל וְזֶה נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶן אֵלֶּה וּמַאי מַשְׁמַע דְּהַאי אֵל קָשֶׁה הוּא דִּכְתִיב וְאֶת אֵילֵי הָאָרֶץ לָקָח גַּבֵּי עֲרָיוֹת נָמֵי הָכְתִיב אֵלֶּה הָהוּא לְמַעוֹטֵי מִדּוֹת מִכָּרֵת וְאֶלָּא מַאי עוּדְפַּיְיהוּ דְּהָתָם אֶפְשָׁר בִּתְשׁוּבָה וְהָכָא לָא אֶפְשָׁר בִּתְשׁוּבָה וְאָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי קָשֶׁה גֶּזֶל הֶדְיוֹט יוֹתֵר מִגֶּזֶל גָּבוֹהַּ שֶׁזֶּה הִקְדִּים חֵטְא לַמְּעִילָה וְזֶה הִקְדִּים מְעִילָה לַחֵטְא וְאָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי בּוֹא וּרְאֵה שֶׁלֹּא כְּמִדַּת הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בֵּרַךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁתַּיִם וְקִלְּלָן בִּשְׁמֹנֶה בֵּרְכָן בְּעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁתַּיִם מֵאִם בְּחֻקֹּתַי עַד קוֹמְמִיּוּת וְקִלְּלָן בִּשְׁמוֹנָה מִוְּאִם בְּחֻקֹּתַי תִּמְאָסוּ עַד וְאֶת חֻקֹּתַי גָּעֲלָה נַפְשָׁם וְאִילּוּ מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ בֵּרְכָן בִּשְׁמוֹנֶה וְקִלְּלָן בְּעֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁתַּיִם בֵּרְכָן בִּשְׁמוֹנֶה

Bava Batra 88b

And before adding the weights and merchandise the seller is obligated to let the pans of the scale that will hold the merchandise tilt an extra handbreadth for the buyer by adding a weight to that side. If the seller weighed for him exactly, i.e., with the scales equally balanced initially, instead of allowing the scales to tilt an extra handbreadth, he must give the buyer additional amounts [geirumin], an additional one-tenth in the case of liquids sold by weight, and an additional one-twentieth in the case of dry goods. The mishna continues to discuss the correct method of weighing: In a place where they were accustomed to measure merchandise in several stages with a small measuring vessel, one may not measure all the items at once with a single large measuring vessel. In a place where they measure with one large measuring vessel, one may not measure with several small measuring vessels. In a place where the custom is to level the top of the measuring vessel to remove substances heaped above its edges, one may not heap it, and where the custom is to heap it, one may not level it. GEMARA: The Gemara asks: From where are these matters, that the seller must initially let the scales tilt an extra handbreadth, derived? Reish Lakish said: The source is that the verse states that one should have: “A perfect and just [tzedek] weight” (Deuteronomy 25:15), which is interpreted as an instruction to the seller: Be righteous [tzaddek] with that which is yours and give it to the buyer. The Gemara asks: If that is so, say the latter clause: If the seller weighed for him exactly, he gives the buyer additional amounts. But if letting the scales tilt is obligatory by Torah law, how can he originally give him by weighing exactly? Rather, it is not obligatory to let the scales tilt, and the first clause is referring to a place where they are accustomed to let the scales tilt an extra handbreadth. And if the statement of Reish Lakish was stated, it was stated with regard to the latter clause: If the seller weighed for him exactly, he gives the buyer additional amounts. From where is this matter derived? Reish Lakish said that this is as the verse states: “And just [tzedek],” which indicates: Be righteous [tzaddek] with that which is yours and give it to the buyer. The Gemara asks: And how much are the additional amounts that are given? Rabbi Abba bar Memel says that Rav says: In the case of liquids, one-tenth of a litra for every ten litra, i.e., one-hundredth. The mishna teaches that the seller adds one-tenth in the case of liquids, and one-twentieth for dry goods. A dilemma was raised before the Sages: With regard to what case is the tanna of the mishna speaking? Does he mean one-tenth in the case of liquids for every ten units of liquid, and similarly one-twentieth in the case of dry goods for every twenty units of dry goods, i.e., one four-hundredth? Or perhaps, he means one-tenth for every ten units of liquid, and similarly one-tenth for every twenty units of dry goods, i.e., one two- hundredth? The Gemara states that the dilemma shall stand unresolved. § Rabbi Levi says: The punishment for using false measures is more severe than the punishment for transgressing the prohibition of forbidden sexual relations. As in that case, forbidden relations, it is stated with regard to them a shortened term for the word “these”: “El,” in the verse: “For all these [el ] abominations” (Leviticus 18:27). And in this case, false measures, it is stated an expanded term for the word “these”: “Elleh,” in the verse: “For all that do these [elleh] things, even all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 25:16). And from where may it be inferred that this expression “el” indicates that the prohibition is severe, based on which it is understood that the form this word takes indicates a level of severity? As it is written: “And the mighty [eilei] of the land he took away” (Ezekiel 17:13). The Gemara asks: But with regard to forbidden relations isn’t it also written: “For whosoever shall do any of these [elleh] abominations” (Leviticus 18:29)? If so, why is the punishment for using false measures considered harsher? The Gemara answers: That expression of “elleh” (Leviticus 18:29) in the context of forbidden relations does not serve to emphasize its severity. Rather, it serves to exclude one who uses deception in measures from the penalty of excision from the World-to-Come [karet]. The Gemara asks: But if the punishment is in fact less severe, what is the advantage, i.e., the greater severity, in the case of false measures? The Gemara answers that there, in the case of one who engages in forbidden relations, he has the possibility of repentance. But here, in the case of one who uses false measures, there is no possibility of repentance because he has no way of knowing whom he cheated, and is therefore unable to return the stolen money. And Rabbi Levi says: Robbing an ordinary person is more severe than robbing the Most High, i.e., taking consecrated property. As with regard to this regular robber, the verse states “sin” before “me’ila”: “If any one sin, and commit a trespass [me’ila] against the Lord, and deal falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of pledge, or of robbery, or have oppressed his neighbor” (Leviticus 5:21). And with regard to that one who misuses consecrated items, the verse states me’ila before sin: “If any one engages in misuse [timol ma’al] and sins unwittingly” (Leviticus 5:15). And Rabbi Levi says: Come and see that the attribute of flesh and blood is unlike the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He. The Holy One, Blessed be He, blessed the Jewish people with twenty-two, and cursed them with only eight. Rabbi Levi explains: He blessed them with the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from the first letter, alef, that begins the verse: “If [im] you walk in My statutes” (Leviticus 26:3), until “upright [komemiyyut]” (Leviticus 26:13), which ends with the letter tav, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. And He cursed them with eight letters, from the letter vav that begins the verse: “And if [ve’im] you shall reject My statutes” (Leviticus 26:15), until: “And My statutes were abhorred by their soul [nafsham]” (Leviticus 26:43), which ends with the letter mem. There are eight letters in the Hebrew alphabet from the letter vav to the letter mem, inclusive. And yet Moses, our teacher, who is flesh and blood, blessed them with eight letters, and cursed them with twenty-two. He blessed them with eight letters,