The Debate over the True Meaning of TeshuvaBy Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Firstly on behalf of the Shul we would like to wish everyone a Chasima uGemar Chasima Tova, a Good and Gebentched year.
Approaching Shabbos Shuva and Yom Kippur, days designed for teshuva, we contemplate and we debate the true meaning of teshuva. One aspect of teshuva is regret, regret for all past misdeeds. Another aspect is looking forwards and facing a better future; improving and adding in good deeds and accepting Hashem’s sovereignty in a deeper more meaningful comprehensive way. The debate is all about which aspect we place as our main effort during the Ten Days of Teshuva and Yom Kippur. Many times tears are shed and much regret and hand ringing ensues during these days. Unfortunately all too often these days pass without any follow-up or change. Notwithstanding the true upset, we often feel helpless in being able to facilitate true change. This creates a feeling of frustration and anxiety. It seems to some that once the holidays are over the chances are high that we will not overcome our misdeeds. This is the debate we conduct in our thoughts. Can we, or can we not facilitate real and lasting change during the 10 Days of Teshuva and Yom Kippur? We win the debate when we place our focus on the true meaning of teshuva. Real teshuva means to change for the good, to leap beyond our limitations, to become a different person. But how do we do this?
There is a story told of the Rebbe Rashab who spoke very highly about a simple Jew. A devoted Chosid overhearing his praise commented that he didn’t see it; he didn’t see such greatness in this simple man. Later on when this Chosid, who was a diamond merchant was in yechidus, the Rebbe ask him questions about his business and about diamonds. The Chosid, delighted to be asked, brought out his finest samples and began to explain them in intricate detail showing the Rebbe all the subtle and sophisticated qualities of his diamonds. The Rebbe told him that he didn’t see the differences in quality between the diamonds. The Chosid replied with a smile that to appreciate the differences you have to be expert in diamonds. At that moment the Rebbe came to this point and said this applies even more so to neshamos; you need to be expert to appreciate them.
Our greatest challenge in approaching teshuva and affecting true and lasting change is that we do not appreciate as much as we should who we truly are. Above and beyond all else we are Yisroel. The name Yisroel also spells “Li Rosh, my head or first”. Hashem says to us, the Jewish people, you are my first, my purpose in creating the world. We are the Yisroel that overcame Esav. We are the Yisroel that struggled with all the negative forces of the angel of Esav and were victorious. We are the Yisroel about who it says, “Even though he sins he is still Yisroel (a Jew)”. We have never lost our identity. It may have gone into hiding or become covered over but it has never been lost. Therefore just as it is important to know our faults, it’s even more important to know our positive, that we are Yisroel, the one that Hashem places his confidence in. Our emphasis and our focus are upon the Yisroel within each one of us that is complete and whole. We are internally connected with Hashem always. We have faltered we have made mistakes, but that is not our truest being. This awareness, this emphasis and focus give us the power to do a full and complete teshuva. We have the trust and the confidence within to return to our true self and fulfill our mission at the same time that we express complete regret for all of our imperfections and mistakes. This confidence and this trust his what pulls us out of the hole, the feeling of helplessness and uselessness and gives us renewed vitality. We proceed with a positive outlook for the future with greater vitality, even greater than that of a Tzadik.
During the 10 days of Teshuva and Yom Kippur along with our expression of regret and our admission of failures we focus on our truest good. We focus on the fact that underneath it all we are really good because we are children and servants of Hashem and our goal in life is to serve Hashem. With this focus we shake off the dust of complacency and reveal the diamond within. Through the teshuva of the 10 Days of Repentance and Yom Kippur we are inspired for an entire year to serve Hashem in all aspects with the greatest simcha! The Rebbe once said that he never tires from his work just as no one ever gets tired of polishing diamonds.
By revealing our will and doing teshuva we connect with a complete oneness with Hashem on Yom Kippur. Through this oneness we will merit the neshama klalis, the all-encompassing neshama of Moshiach and merit to hear the kol pashut, the simple sound of the shofar of Moshiach this year.
A Gmar Chasima Tovah, a Good Shabbos