Repentance 

תשובה

The existence of repentance as an option for the sinner is not self-evident. Ostensibly, the sinner should be held responsible for his actions and bear the consequences. It is God alone who offers people this opportunity.  

Rabbi Pinhas said: “Good and upright is the Lord” (Psalms 25:8). Why is He good? Because He is upright. And why is He upright? Because He is good. “Therefore He instructs sinners in the way” (Psalms 25:8), as He instructs them in the way of repentance. 

They asked wisdom: What is the fitting punishment of a sinner? Wisdom said to them: “Evil pursues sinners” (Proverbs 13:21). They asked prophecy: What is the punishment of a sinner? Prophecy said to them: “The soul that sins, it will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). They asked the Holy One, blessed is He: What is the punishment of a sinner? He said to them: Let him repent and the sin will be atoned for him. 

This is the meaning of what is written: “Therefore He instructs sinners in the way”; He instructs sinners in the path of repentance. <source>(Jerusalem Talmud, <i>Makkot</i> 2:6) </source>