Monday, April 27, 2026

Tzadikim try to deceive G-d

Tehilim (19:13) Who can discern his errors? Clean me from hidden faults.

Yalkut Shimoni (677) Who will understand the errors? Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said, "The righteous are mighty, they know how to praise their Creator, and they know how to deceive their Creator. See how David praised. He began to praise in the heavens. The heavens tell of the glory of God. The heavens said to him, "Do you need anything?" He said And the skies tell of the work of his hands. The skies said to him, "Do you need anything?" He began to sing and began to praise the Torah, the Torah of the Lord is perfect. G-d said to him, "David, what  do you need? He replied, Who will understand the errors?The errors done before You do you permit?

Vayikra Rabbah (05:08) David was a clever tenant. He commenced a Psalm with an expression of praise, saying, The heavens declare the glory of God. Said the heavens to him:Do you require anything? And the firmament showeth His handiwork. Said the firmament to him: ‘Do you require anything?’ He went on with his Psalm: Day unto day uttereth speeches, etc.. Said G-d to him: ‘What do you require?’ Said David: Who can discern errors?, meaning, ‘What of the sins I have committed before Thee in error?’ G-d answered: ‘For unintentional transgression you are forgiven, for that you are granted remission.’ David continued: Clear Thou me from hidden faults  i.e. from sins which I have committed before Thee in secret. He answered: ‘For transgression committed in secret you are forgiven, for that is remission granted you.’ David went on: Keep back Thy servant also from such as are presumptuous, i.e. from deliberate transgressions. That they may not have dominion over me; then shall I be faultless. This speaks of the gravest of transgressions.-And I shall be clear from great transgression. David said before G-d: ‘O Master of the Universe! Thou art a great God, and my sins are great. It is only the great God who is fitted to forgive great sins.’ This is indicated bywhat is written, For Thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great.

Midrash Tehillim (19:16) Who will understand mistakes? Give me Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, who the righteous are that know how to entice their Creator and know how to rebuke. See how David rebuked his Creator, he started by rebuking the heavens, as it says "The heavens tell of the glory of God." They replied, "Do you need anything?" "No," he said, "but the work of His hands proclaims the firmament." Then he began to rebuke with the Torah, as it says "The fear of the Lord is pure." God said to him, "David, what do you want?" He replied, "Who will understand mistakes? Your servant has committed many sins." God said to him, "I forgive you, and leave your sins." Even willful sins, which are the worst kind. They shall not rule over me. These are sins of passion. As it is said, "Let not those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me." This is the sin of the great transgression. Rabbi Levi said that David said to God, "Master of the Universe, You are a great God, and I owe a great debt to You. Help me pay my debts." As it is said, "For Your Name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great." Rav Acha the Kutite said of these sinners, that they know how to go around doors. At first, they say, "Give the poor man a little water." When they change their mind, they say, "Give him one onion," and they give it to him. Then they say, "Give him an onion without bread," and they give it to him. The righteous also know how to please their Creator, as it says, "The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing." This refers to Moses. But the wicked have twisted lips, because they do not know how to please God. 

Sanhedrin (107a) Unto whom may David be likened? Unto a heathen merchant. David said before G-d Sovereign of the Universe! Who can understand his errors? He replied, They are forgiven thee. Cleanse thou me from secret faults he pursued I grant it thee. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins! Tis granted. Let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright: so that scholars may not discuss me.Granted.And I shall be innocent from the great transgression: so my sins may not be recorded.He replied, That is impossible. If the single yod which I removed from Sarai continuously cried out in protest for many years until Joshua came and I added it to his name, as it is written, And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua: how much more so a complete section! And I shall be innocent from great transgression. He pleaded before Him, Sovereign of the Universe! Pardon me that sin completely as though it had never been committed. He replied, It is already ordained that thy son Solomon should say in his wisdom, Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. He lamented, Must I suffer so much He replied, Accept thy chastisement, and he accepted it.

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