One of the most fascinating Jewish ethical books is R. Moses Cordovero's Tomer Devorah. It was written in Safed in the 16th century. It contains two sections. The first is an ethical explanation of Micah 7:18-20, which we read every year on Yom Kippur afternoon after finishing the book of Jonah. Cordovero claims that since we are created in the image of G-d, we must emulate his characteristics. The second part of the work views the 10 sefirot from an ethical perspective, continuing on the theme of man needing to emulate G-d.

I would like to quote for you one paragrah from this work today - This has to do with the issue of forgiveness. G-d forgives a person without the use of an emissary. "A person should behave in exactly the same way. He should certainly not say, 'Why should I be the one to rectify so-and-so's sins or perversions?' For when a person sins, the Holy One Himself, Blessed Be He, rectifies the perversion, not through a messenger. He also washes away the filth of the person's sins. From this, one can also understand that a person should be too embarrased to return to his sin, because G-d is the one who cleansed the person of it."

We need to work hard to help others overcome there flaws. This does not mean we need to pressure people to change. It means that we should not turn away when someone wants our help.