GEN598 Why was divine forgiveness denied to the generation of Noah and to the people of Sodom? One may suggest that absolution by penitence was a divine concession first granted to Moses. One may also rationalize the absence of early forgiveness by the prevalence of extreme corruption which destroyed man’s ability to perceive wrong, to confess to it, and to experience penitence. Biblical texts seem to support this view. The sentence “And the earth was filled with violence” (prior to the Flood) [This verse] seems to convey the enormity of the corruption. The description of the Sodomites,” their sin is exceedingly grievous” Genesis 18:20 similarly depicts extreme depravity. The Talmud also agrees with the view that divine forgiveness was always available to man if only he mended his ways. Penitence would have saved the victims of the Flood and the people of Sodom. Rabbi José of Caesarea offered the following scenario: “Noah rebuked them, urging ‘Repent, for if not, the Holy One, blessed be he, will bring a deluge upon you’” Sanhedrin 108a. Josephus included a similar scenario in his history of the Jewish people: “and [Noah] being displeased at their conduct urge them to change the disposition and their actions for the better” Antiq. III:1. The institution of the solemn Day of Atonement made the theological doctrine of penitence and forgiveness central to Judaism. However, the Day of Atonement primarily relates to religious offenses against God. It is an axiomatic rabbinic maxim that “offenses against God are forgiven [on Yom Kippur], but offenses against God against a fellow man are not condoned unless one receives the forgiveness of his victim” Rosh HaShanah 17b. It is important to bear in mind that a violation of the rights of the fellow man constitutes a double offense, against men and against God. Consequently one must secure the forgiveness of both. The steps leading to human forgiveness are somewhat different than those preceding divine forgiveness. In place of penitents, a term which has a theological connotation, it is preferable to demand an expression of regret and remorse. The sequence preceding human forgiveness is as follows: an admission of guilt, the expression of regret, an apology, and a request for forgiveness. There must also be an offer to make restitution for whatever damage was done. This applies to physical damage as well as to the mental suffering of the injured party. BLOCH 135-6