Musar sur Michée 7:18

Chapter 1 - That it is fitting for a person to resemble his Creator: It is fitting for a person to resemble his Creator and then he will be [configured] in the secret of the Highest Form, [both] in image and likeness. As if he is alike in his body but not in his actions, he betrays the Form; and they will say about him, "A lovely form, but ugly deeds." As behold, the essence of the Highest Image and Likeness is His actions. And what will it benefit him to have the structure of his limbs like the Highest Form, but not resemble his Creator in his actions? Therefore it is fitting that he should [make his actions] resemble the actions of the Crown (Keter), which are the thirteen highest traits of mercy. And they are hinted to in the secret of the verses (Michah 7:18-20), "Who is a power like You; He will again have mercy on us; You shall give truth." If so, it is fitting that these thirteen traits [also] be found in man. And now we will explain these thirteen actions that are fitting to be with him.

We shall explain our words: Even if he were not forgiven through this [savlanuth] only for one sin completely, but would only have his punishment [somewhat] attenuated, it would suffice him [to suffer this denigration]. How much more so if he were forgiven completely for one sin. And how much even more so now that we know that he is forgiven for all his sins, even those which are called "pesha" [offense], (so long as he takes heed not to commit them from now on.) As Chazal have said (Rosh Hashanah 17a): "If one forgives slights against himself, all of his offenses are forgiven, as it is written (Michah 7:18): 'He forgives transgression and passes over offense.' Whose transgression does He forgive? The one who 'passes over' [i.e., overlooks] offense."

But if one wants the Holy One Blessed be He to forgive him even for his offenses, let him take heed not to take offense at all, even if he knows for a certainty that what his friend did against him was done with malice and treachery, which is called "pesha' [offense], as they have said (Yoma 36b): "'Peshaim' — these are sins of rebellion." This is their intent in "Whose transgression does He forgive? The one who overlooks offense." (For, in truth, the Holy One Blessed be He forgives him even for his "offenses," as it is written: "All of his offenses are forgiven." And Scripture states first (Michah 7:18): "He forgives transgression" because of the order of the traits of the Holy One Blessed be He. For he [first] forgives transgression and also overlooks offense, as it is written in the Torah (Exodus 34:7): "He forgives transgression and offense.") And this trait sometimes avails a man to lengthen his life, even if it were already decreed upon him to die, as in the following instance (Rosh Hashanah 17a):