to such [a sinner] it is said: Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, (Ps. lxxxix. 32).

IX. When is it so ?-[It is so] if he did. not profane [the name of] God, at the time when he transgressed. But he who profanes [the name of] God, although he repent, and although the day of atonement arrive whilst he is still persevering in his repentance, yea although afflictions come upon him, still his atonement is not complete until he die; so that [with such a sinner] repentance, the day of atonement, and afflictions, [are] all three [indispensable to] cause the suspension, and death [alone] makes the atonement [complete]; for it is said: And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts, SURELY THIS INIQUITY SHALL NOT BE PURGED FROM YOU TILL YE DIE, (Isai. xxii. 14).

EE

PRECEPTS RELATING TO REPENTANCE.

CHAPTER II.

WHAT is [the criterion of] true repentance'? -It is when a matter, in which a man has once transgressed, comes [again] within his reach2 and when he moreover has it in his power to commit the same [offence again], and yet shrinks back [from it], and does not commit [it] out of [mere] repentance, and not out of fear or impotence'. For instance; Behold! one who once had a criminal intercourse with a woman; now if after a lapse of time he [happen to] have again a private meeting with her, (whilst still persevering in his love to her, and whilst still possessing his full bodily power; moreover whilst still in the same country where he once sinned with her)-if then he shrink

'718) Hawn literally: perfect repentance.

217' literally in (or to) his hand.

3

with.

literally: and he separated [himself], or parted

literally: through want of strength.

5 That is, under the influence of the same climate and associations.

back [from her], and do not commit [the sin] -such an one is [said to be] a true penitent; and this is what Solomon said: Remember now thy Creator IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH, (Eccles. xii. 1).

II. However if one repent only in his old age, or at a time when it is no longer in his power to do that which he was [in the habit of] doing; although this is [certainly] not genuine repentance, yet it still avails him, and he is still [said to be] a penitent.

Though even he may have been a transgressor all his life, yet if he repent but on the day of his death, so that he die a penitent, all his sins are pardoned; for it is said: While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, NOR THE CLOUDS RETURN AFTER THE RAIN, (Eccles. xii. 2); which is [an allusion to] the day of death. Whence we infer that if he (the sinner) remember but his Creator and repent, before he dies, he is still pardoned.

III. Now what is that repentance [to consist in]? In this, that the sinner forsake his sin, and remove it from his thoughts; moreover that he resolve in his heart, never to do it again; for it is said: "Let the wicked forsake his way, (Isai. lv. 7). He also ought to be sorry

6 by literally: profitable repentance.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN HIS THOUGHTS, &c.; from which we deduce, that the removal of sin from a man's thoughts is essential to repentance.

for the past; for it is said: Surely after that I was turned, I repented, (Jer. xxxi. 19). And he ought also to call to witness Him who knoweth [all] secrets, that he will never return to this sin again; for it is said: 'Neither will we say any more to the work of our hands: [Ye are] our gods, &c. (Hos. xiv. 3). Moreover it is necessary that he make a verbal2 confession, and that he utter [with his mouth] the contrite resolutions of his heart.

IV. He who confesses with words, without having resolved in his heart to forsake [his sins]-Behold! he is like one who dips [in water, by way of performing the necessary purification] whilst holding an unclean animal in his hand, when his dipping can avail him nothing, unless he throw away the unclean animal; and so it is said: But whoso confesseth AND FORSAKETH [them] shall have mercy, (Prov. xxviii. 13). Moreover it is necessary that he name3

1 The verse, preceding this, opens thus: Take with you words, and turn to the Lord; say unto Him, &c.; from which we perceive, that the penitent is directed to call on God, and to protest before Him, that he is come to the firm resolution of amending his life.

.literally: to confess with his lips להתודות בשפתיו 2

3 The cleansing, by washing the flesh in water, of those that contract uncleanness by touching unclean animals, is prescribed in Lev. xxii. 5, 6.; and also in other places of the Pentateuch.

417 literally: and [holds] a creeping thing in his hand.

literally to utter with words, or to define.

:

his sin; for it is said: Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, AND HAVE MADE THEM GODS OF GOLD, (Exod. xxxii. 31).

V. It is also the usual course of repentance, that the penitent should cry unremittingly to the Lord, with weepings and entreaties; that he should exercise charity as much as is in his power; that he should remove very far from the object of his transgression, and that he should alter his name, just as if he were to say: I am quite another person, and not the same man who committed those actions; moreover that he should altogether alter his actions for the better, and [in a direction] towards the way of righteousness; and also that he should emigrate from his place; for emigration atones for [a man's] iniquity, inasmuch as it causes him to give way, and to become meek and humble-minded.

VI. It is also very commendable in the penitent to confess before a multitude of persons, and to make known unto them his transgressions; also to reveal to others the offences [existing] between himself and his fellow, saying unto them: Surely I have offended such and such an one, and I have done unto him so and so; but behold! I now repent of, and am sorry

6 Here we perceive that Moses has named and defined the crime, for which he was begging mercy and forgiveness.

literally: from the thing with which מן הדבר שחטא בו 7

he has sinned.