Making a Deal With God

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak said to God:  "I want to propose a deal. We have many sins and misdeeds, and you an abundance of forgiveness and atonement.  Let us exchange!”

In the silence that followed, Rabbi Yitzhak gathered his thoughts.  Finally, he said: “Perhaps you will say: 'Like for like!' My answer is:  Had we no sins, what would you do with your forgiveness? So you must balance the deal by giving us life!  And children and food beside!"

Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee, 

and I’ll forgive Thy great big joke on me.

─Robert Frost