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Why does the first of the Thirteen Attributes refer to God's mercy "before a person sins" - what mercy does a sinless person need? The Maharal's yesod transforms the entire framework: our very existence is pure Divine chesed (חסד), since God created us solely to bestow good upon us. This makes sin not mere disobedience but ingratitude - rejecting the goodness of One whose every command benefits us.
This shiur addresses a fundamental question raised by the Rosh regarding the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (Yud Gimmel Midos Rachamim) recited during Selichos. The Gemara (גמרא) explains that the first Divine Name represents God's mercy "before a person sins," while the second represents mercy "after a person sins and does teshuvah." The Rosh asks: why does someone who hasn't sinned need Divine mercy at all? The Rosh suggests this refers to someone who has improper thoughts about idolatry but hasn't acted on them. However, the Maharal rejects this approach entirely, offering a much more fundamental answer. According to the Maharal, these thirteen attributes represent God's ways (derachim) and His essential goodness (tov). Every created being needs Divine mercy simply because God owes us nothing - our very existence is pure chesed (חסד) and rachamim.
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Thirteen Attributes of Mercy - Exodus 34:6-7
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