"The concept of human forgiveness is derived from the basic unconscious supposition of an omniscient presence—one that rules over time itself.
It implies a relationship between man and the absolute, a relation to God, who is beyond space and time and natural law.
Every request for forgiveness of past action on the part of man is a plea to awaken in him the 'spark of holiness,' the 'Divine part from above,' which enables him to exist beyond the apparent limits of reality."
--Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
From Pebbles of Wisdom from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz (forthcoming)
