Haazinu – Shabbos Shuva
The Rama writes that one should not be cruel to not forgive someone unless he intends for the benefit of the one who seeks forgiveness. For example, if you will forgive him right away, he will then continue on with his habit of acting improperly. In this instance it is better to not forgive immediately so that this will force him to earnestly work on himself and change his ways. Still in all, in your heart you should remove any hatred since in truth the person requested forgiveness.
The Gemara writes: Rava taught, whoever is maavir on his midos, Hashem is maavir on all of his negligent actions. Rashi references the Chazal who say, “אין מעבירן על המצוות – one cannot pass over mitzvos,” he must fulfill them when they come his way. The word “maavir” refers to letting things pass by and leaving them behind. One who is maavir on his midos does not measure out exactly how much another bothered or disturbed him but rather lets it go. So too, Hashem will not be exact with His midas-hadin; He will leave it and let it go.
The source for this concept is from the passuk which states, “נושא עון ועובר על פשע.” To whom does Hashem lift up intentional sin? To one who passes over negligent actions that were done to him. The Mishnah Berura elaborates, whoever looks away and lets an issue of disturbance pass over, Hashem in return will do the same for him and He will look away from his intentional transgressions. But if he won’t want to forgive another person, then Hashem won’t forgive him. The Shaar HaTziyun explains this is because in Shamayim the judgement is midah kneged midah. One should forgive others even those who intentionally did bad to you and rebelled against you. Then, Hashem will forgive you as well even on your intentional transgressions.
The Gemara writes: Rabbi Akiva asked Rabbi Nechunia HaGadol, “What is the merit that you lived so long?” He responded, “I did not punish people who pained me” just as Rava taught above. He let go and left behind people’s annoyances and disturbances, and so Hashem did for him. May we leave behind people’s bad actions, forget and forgive, and be zoche to a Gmar Chasima Tova!
