We all make mistakes.
Sometimes we slip up and offend people that we love.
Many years ago I saw this picture of a sign in a flower shop saying:
How mad is she?
A. Small flower
B. Bigger bouquet etc.
It is a joke, although probably good marketing to someone who is looking to correct a misdeed.
The book of Leviticus, which we begin to read this Shabbos, mostly covers the sacrifices that we would bring to Hashem. Among which are the sacrifices brought for seeking forgiveness from Hashem.
Why does G-d forgive?
Because we are His children. The love a parent has for their child is unconditional, regardless of his behavior. Similarly, G-d’s love for the Jewish people is so intense that He does not differentiate between Himself and them. G-d’s essential connection with His children remains strong and even when they make an egregious mistake, he forgives them.
Why should we forgive? Because we should learn from G-d's example.
Our love for our fellow should be so strong that when they hurt us by mistake, we should forgive them wholeheartedly. Doing it for ourselves because of our inherent connection to them.
When we make a mistake to our fellow, the question shouldn't be "How mad is she?" but how has this affected our relationship and how can I repair it? Which "sacrifices" do I need to make to awaken the deep connection between us and be forgiven.
With G-d, we ask which mitzvah (from the word connection), with a person we look for which connection behavior will reaffirm our relationship.
Have a connected Shabbos,
Kushi
