{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection","title":"Elul 5 - Erasing the Past: Hashem’s Gift of Forgiveness","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":383,"description":"Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe contrasts the limited way human beings often forgive with the boundless mercy of Hashem. When someone repeatedly wrongs us—even after apologizing—we eventually become suspicious, lose patience, and refuse to forgive again. Yet year after year, we return to Hashem on Yom Kippur admitting many of the same mistakes and asking once more for forgiveness.\nThe difference is illustrated through a pen and a pencil. Human forgiveness can resemble an erasable pen: the words may become lighter, but the imprint remains. Hashem’s forgiveness resembles a pencil erased completely. When Hashem forgives, the wrongdoing is not left behind as a faded mark waiting to be retrieved from an old file. It is erased, opening a genuinely clean slate.\nThe key is sincerity. Even one authentic moment of remorse—recognizing that we acted beneath our potential and genuinely wishing we had chosen differently—can open the door to forgiveness. Hashem’s mercy allows us to return, begin again, and enter the coming year without being permanently defined by the mistakes of the past.\n_____________\nThis Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Peter & Becky Botvin\nThis Episode is dedicated in Honor of Yona Kullman!\nRecorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on August 18, 2023, in Houston, Texas.\nReleased as Podcast on August 22, 2023\n_____________\nListen, Subscribe & Share: \nApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783\nSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! \nShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  \n_____________\nAbout the Host:\nRabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org\n_____________\nSupport Our Mission:...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/76tI1XOrBfK-PjMp-DsYPvoo8EZGRPqfIP9oxC23HYU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zN2Vi/ZDJhMmE0MjViNjFl/MWZkODkzOWUwZmJm/ZTQ5ZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}