TRANSFORMATION
One can wallow in sin and impurity, sinking to lower and lower levels, or one can choose to break the shackles of ignominy and seek God.
It was said of Eleazar son of Dordia that he did not leave out any harlot in the world without coming to her. Once, on hearing that there was a certain harlot in one of the
towns by the sea who accepted a purse of denarii for her hire, he took a purse of denarii and crossed seven rivers for her sake.
As he was with her, she blew forth breath and said: As this blown breath will not return to its place, so will Eleazar son of Dordia never be received in repentance.
He thereupon went, sat between two hills and mountains and exclaimed: O, ye hills and mountains, plead for mercy for me! They replied: "How
shall we pray for thee? We stand in need of it ourselves, for it is said, For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed!"
So he exclaimed: Heaven and earth, plead ye for mercy for me! They, too, replied: "How shall we pray for thee? We stand in need of it ourselves, for it is said, For the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment."
He then exclaimed: Sun and moon, plead ye for mercy
for me! But they also replied: "How shall we pray for thee? We stand in need of it ourselves, for it is said, Then the moon shall be confounded and the sun ashamed."
He exclaimed: Ye stars and constellations, plead ye for mercy for me! Said they: "How shall we pray for thee? We stand in need of it ourselves, for it is said, And all the hosts of heaven shall moulder away."
Said he: The matter then depends upon me alone!
Having placed his head between his knees, he wept aloud until his soul departed. Then a heavenly voice was heard proclaiming: “Eleazar son of Dordai is destined for the life of the world to come!"
The man, on hearing of it, wept and said: One may acquire eternal life after many years, another in one hour. Repentants are not alone accepted, they are welcomed by the Lord!
