Midrash su Ezechiele 16:63

(Fol. 12b) Rabba b. Chinena, the Senior, in the name of Rab, said further: "Whoever is able to pray for mercy on behalf of his friend and does not pray, is to be called a sinner; as it is said (I Sam. 12, 23.) Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray in your behalf." Raba said: "If he who is the sick be a great man, his friend should pray for him until he himself is worn out." What is the reason? Shall we say because it is written (Ib. 22, 8.) And there is none who sickens for me nor informeth me? Perhaps this refers only to a King? But we learn it from this, (Ps. 35, 13.) But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. Further said Rabba b. Chinena, the Senior, in the name of Rab: "He, who after committing a transgression, feels ashamed, will be forgiven of all his sins, as it is said (Ez. 16, 63.) In order that thou mayest remember, and feel ashamed and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame. When I forgive thee for all that thou hast done saith the Lord God." Perhaps a community [to which that refers] is different? But we learn from this, (I Sam. 28. 15.) And Samuel said unto Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me? And Saul answered, I am greatly distressed for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and hath not answered me any more, neither by the agency of the prophets, nor by means of dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. And he fails to mention the Urim and Tummim; he was ashamed to mention these because he killed all the priests of Nob who performed that rite. And whence do we learn that his sins were forgiven by Heaven? It is said (Ib.) And Samuel said unto Saul, to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me, and R. Jochanan said: "With me, means in my abode." And the other Rabbis say from this [it is derived that God forgave his sin], (II Sam. 21, 6.) And we will hang them up unto the Lord in Gibas of Saul, the chosen of the Lord. i.e., A Bath Kol (heavenly voice) went forth and said "The chosen of the Lord."

The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Because you have made a curtain of goats’ hair to serve as a tent over the Tabernacle in order to cover Me, I will cover you with a cloud on high, and I will consider it as if you had repaid Me. Because, at the time you went forth from Egypt, I brought a cloud that was a kind of tent to protect you, and I will reward you (in the same fashion) in the time-to-come, as it is said: And the Lord will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, for over all the glory shall be a canopy (Isa. 4:5). You made an ark cover for Me, so be assured, because of the ark cover I will forgive all your sins, as it is said: When I have forgiven thee all that thou hast done (Ezek. 16:63). Because you made an ark for Me from which light will go forth to the world, be assured I will illumine for you the world-to-come, as it is said: Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun (Isa. 30:26), and it is written elsewhere: Arise, shine, for thy light is come (Isa. 60:1).

The Holy One said: You have made me sheets of goats' hair for the tent on the Tabernacle. When you came out of Egypt, I brought a cloud and it became a shield over you. Even though you rebel (pore'im) against me, I am rewarding (porea') you in the world to come, as stated (in Is. 4:5): FOR THE LORD WILL CREATE OVER THE WHOLE SITE OF MOUNT ZION AND OVER ITS ASSEMBLY A CLOUD <AND SMOKE> BY DAY <AND THE BRIGHTNESS OF A FLAMING FIRE BY NIGHT>. You made me a Mercy Seat; I am pardoning (KPR) you for all your sins, as stated (in Ezek. 16:63): WHEN I FORGIVE YOU…. You made me the ark ('RWN); by your life I am enlightening (rt.: 'WR) you, as stated (in Is. 30:26): MOREOVER, THE LIGHT OF THE MOON SHALL BE AS THE LIGHT OF THE SUN…. It also says (in Ps. 97:11): LIGHT IS SOWN FOR THE RIGHTEOUS….