Sponsored in loving memory of Joseph and Shirley Goldwasser by Avraham and Joyce Litzman, their children and grandchildren.
Day Eleven
6. Teshuvah Elyonah Reveals New Aspects of the Divine Image.
Transformation and Purity
The Ramak reveals a sparkling facet of the significance of Man’s being created in the Divine Image. As he states in our chapter: “Just as Binah functions to sweeten all of the Judgments and to neutralize their bitterness; so too, Man engages in Teshuvah and rectifies every flaw.” Meaning, just as HaShem sweetens every Judgment; so too, Man, created in the Divine Image, has the power to rectify every transgression and repugnant character trait. This ability to transform darkness to light and curse into blessing, constitutes a primary aspect of Man’s having been created in the Divine Image. Of all created beings, only Man has the capacity to affect and rectify the upper realms through his intents, actions, and words.
Moreover, just as HaShem is utterly holy and pure; so too, it is appropriate for Man to attain perfection in holiness and purity, untarnished by transgression. Therefore, HaShem opens the gates of Binah, granting us the opportunity to perform Teshuvah Elyonah and “rectify every flaw.” Through this process, a person returns to his original lofty state, cleansed of every trace of iniquity.
Summary: Teshuvah Elyonah privileges Man with two new aspects of emulating the Almighty.
