Sorry…

I find it interesting that people/bots who chose to spam blogs and websites invariably start their spam posts with “Sorry :-(…”.

The very fact that they post their spam is a negation of the apology they offer.

What possesses someone to think that if they apologize in advance their action is somehow OK?

I have never understood the idea of apologizing prior to committing an offense – it smacks of insincerity if it’s real human, and bad programming if it’s a bot – or perhaps it’s the other way around?

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G-d, Words and the Days of Awe

The Haftarot for Shabbat Shuva (the Shabbat between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are Hoshea 14:2-10, Michah 7:18-20 and Yoel 2:15-27. The texts of Michah and Yoel follows on the same page.

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
For you have fallen because of your sin.
Take words with you
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him:
“Forgive all guilt
And accept what is good;
Instead of bulls we will pay
[The offering of] our lips.” (Hoshea 14:2-3)

I read this and am in awe at how simple it is.

1. Return To G-d.
2. Take with you Words.
3. Say to G-d: Forgive!

Yup, that simple, that beautiful. Just walk up to G-d with your words and say: “Forgive me”.

There’s more – G-d tells to us to tell Him to look at us and see what in us is GOOD, and that we are giving the best we have – Words of remorse.

1. Accept that which is good
2. We give the offerings of our lips.

Then let’s move on to the next part:

“I will heal their affliction,
Generously will I take them back in love;
For My anger has turned away from them.” (Hoshea 14:5)

At which G-d response is unconditional love, because our words of teshuvah turns away or melts His anger.

That simple.

“Who is a God like You,
Forgiving iniquity
And remitting transgression;
Who has not maintained His wrath forever
Against the remnant of His own people,
Because He loves graciousness!
He will take us back in love;
He will cover up our iniquities,
You will hurl all our sins
Into the depths of the sea.”

Amen