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How can God sustain someone who has sinned against Him? The shiur explains that 'Nosei Avon' represents divine tolerance where God actively supports even those who violate His will. This teaches us to show patience when personally wronged, while still protecting others from harm.
This shiur examines the second of the thirteen divine attributes mentioned in the Torah (תורה): 'Nosei Avon' (Who Pardons Iniquity). Rabbi Zweig explains that when a person sins, they create a destructive angel that would naturally turn against its creator and destroy them. However, God demonstrates extraordinary tolerance by not only allowing the sin but actually sustaining this destructive force, preventing it from harming the sinner until one of three things occurs: the person repents, they suffer punishment in this world, or they face consequences in the world to come. The shiur distinguishes between two types of divine tolerance. The first attribute ('Mi Kel Kamocha') involves God allowing people to exercise free will and carry out their decisions, even sinful ones. The second attribute ('Nosei Avon') goes further - God actually supports and sustains the person even after they have sinned against Him. This is not merely allowing someone to be their own person, but actively providing for someone who has acted contrary to God's will.
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Thirteen Attributes of Divine Mercy - Nosei Avon
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How can we truly love our neighbor as ourselves without it being disguised selfishness? The shiur distinguishes between vicarious feelings (relating others' experiences back to ourselves) and genuine compassion (sharing their actual emotions regardless of cause). The test: when you cause someone's pain yet still feel their suffering, you've achieved true rachmanus - the divine attribute that lets Hashem share our pain even while punishing us.
