וְהָאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: גְּדוֹלָה תְּשׁוּבָה שֶׁזְּדוֹנוֹת נַעֲשׂוֹת לוֹ כִּזְכִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּבְשׁוּב רָשָׁע מֵרִשְׁעָתוֹ וְעָשָׂה מִשְׁפָּט וּצְדָקָה עֲלֵיהֶם (חָיֹה) יִחְיֶה״!
Reish Lakish said: Great is repentance, as one’s intentional sins are counted for him as merits, as it is stated: “And when the wicked turns from his wickedness, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby” (Ezekiel 33:19)
Reish Lakish was a brilliant Torah scholar from Judea who lived in the 3rd century. He appears numerous times in the Talmud. His background was unusual, as he actually spent some years as a bandit. According to the Talmud, Resh Lakish was persuaded by Rabbi Yochanan to reform his ways, repent, and take up a life of Torah study.
This being the case, when Reish Lakish makes an observation about repentance, it is not just the thoughts of a great Rabbi; it is also a personal statement that is anchored in his life experience.
According to Reish Lakish, the power of repentance is so great, that even one's sins are considered to be good deeds in God's eyes.
In his book On Repentance, Rav Yosef Soloveitchik, the great 20th century Rabbi, said that Reish Lakish is referring here to repentance that is motivated by love. In such a scenario, the person that is repenting is able to take his past life and channel it into the service of God. This redirection of energies allows the sinner to redeem his past and he need not repress his old self.
In Reish Lakish's case, this approach enabled him to channel the abilities that made him a "criminal mastermind"and use them to pursue a life of Torah study and observance.
This being the case, when Reish Lakish makes an observation about repentance, it is not just the thoughts of a great Rabbi; it is also a personal statement that is anchored in his life experience.
According to Reish Lakish, the power of repentance is so great, that even one's sins are considered to be good deeds in God's eyes.
In his book On Repentance, Rav Yosef Soloveitchik, the great 20th century Rabbi, said that Reish Lakish is referring here to repentance that is motivated by love. In such a scenario, the person that is repenting is able to take his past life and channel it into the service of God. This redirection of energies allows the sinner to redeem his past and he need not repress his old self.
In Reish Lakish's case, this approach enabled him to channel the abilities that made him a "criminal mastermind"and use them to pursue a life of Torah study and observance.