When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers in Genesis 45:3, the Torah tells us that their shock rendered them speechless.
The Talmud (B. Hagigah 4b) teaches that Rabbi Elazar cried whenever he would read this verse. Why? He would say to himself, "Joseph's brothers were shamed and shocked by the rebuke of a human being. How much worse it must be to receive the rebuke of God!"
Perhaps Rabbi Elazar had it backwards. It may be the case that God is infinitely more loving, patient, and tolerant than humanity. Indeed, a great deal of the Jewish religion presupposes this idea. If God were as bitter and unforgiving as typical human beings, there would be almost no chance for repentance.
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