Sponsored in loving memory of Joseph and Shirley Goldwasser by Avraham and Joyce Litzman, their children and grandchildren.
Day Nine
4. Joy Opens the Gates of Teshuvah.
The Primacy of Joy
The Zohar (Terumah 165a) states: “Rabbi Yose teaches: One who ascends this Sefira of Binah must do so with joy, and no sadness, whatsoever.” Four complimentary reasons combine to spark this lofty level of joy: First is the joyful awareness that the Merciful Creator will unequivocally accept our Teshuvah in His unbounded compassion! Second, the joy of knowing that HaShem forever safeguards the sanctity of our soul’s holy roots within the Sefira of Binah. Thirdly, the joy of knowing that it is possible to purify ourselves from the illusory defilements of this world and its earthly desires, which seem so bright and alluring at first, but which serve only to blacken and coarsen the soul. Fourthly, joy in the awareness that through Teshuvah Elyonah, HaShem grants us access to unite with our holy root and transform our essence back into the pure goodness from whence it sprang.
This unique redemption is like the exuberance of a prince who’s been liberated from a dank and grimy dungeon and reunited with his father, the king. Accordingly, Teshuvah Elyonah must be performed with joy! Therefore, Rabbi Yose informs us that joy opens the gates of Binah and Teshuvah Elyonah.
Greater Delight than The World to Come
Pirkei Avos states (4:17): “One hour of Teshuvah and good deeds in this world is more pleasurable than the entire life of The World to Come.” The Sefer Charedim (66:54) comments:
“Therefore, rejoice intensely and be moved with heartfelt gratitude when engaging in Teshuvah.”
The pleasure of the World to Come is the ultimate joy, infinitely superseding all earthly pleasures. If so, how can one hour of Teshuvah performed in this world, be greater than the joy of the World to Come?
The pleasure of HaShem drawing close to us in this World — and lovingly washing away our impurity and flaws — far exceeds the pleasure of the World to Come! The delight and joy of performing Teshuvah exponentially expands when we reflect upon the unbridled compassion HaShem displays by forgiving us. Indeed, HaShem’s unbounded goodness — revealed through His accepting our Teshuvah — is a greater pleasure than the collective delight of “the entire life of The World to Come.”
We might wonder, how can we be so presumptuous to assume that HaShem forgives us when we engage in the Teshuvah process? The Ramak states clearly, “Teshuvah rectifies every flaw.” As we proceed through this volume we will take note of the many sources and principles that the Ramak cites which clearly prove the powerful effectiveness of Teshuvah. The teachings of the Ramak lay down deep and solid foundations of faith within our hearts that HaShem responds to our Teshuvah with compassion, love, and forgiveness.
Hope and Happiness – a Self-feeding Loop
In the same vein, the Ramchal writes (Otzros HaRamchal, Maimar Ha’Kivui):
"One who hopes in HaShem is always joyous and free of distress; while one who is distressed is always in anguish and grief, for he thinks his problems have no remedy. [In contrast,] the optimistic person doesn’t experience sorrow, since he always hopes for HaShem’s redemption. And even if there is a delay, still he awaits. It emerges that his very hope revitalizes him….Even though I sit in darkness, HaShem is my Light (Michah 7:8) — HaShem specifically! For Your salvation do I hope, HaShem!"
What a profound thought the Ramchal presents us with: The very state of feeling joy itself reflects a dynamic trust and irrepressible hope in Him. A person’s trust in HaShem is his very safeguard and remedy! Even a person enduring a long-lasting challenge, be it an issue regarding health, family, livelihood, and the like, will be happy and optimistic if he upholds his hope and trust in HaShem!
One Thing I Ask
We learn in the Mishnah (Ta’anis 26b) that “There are no days as good for Klal Yisrael as … Tu B’Av and Yom Kippur….” The Talmud (ibid 30b) explains that Yom Kippur is beneficial for us because it is a day of absolution and forgiveness. In this light, HaRav Yisrael Salanter stated, “If they were to offer me one request when I go to the World to Come, I would ask to
return to this world for one more Yom Kippur!” (Kadosh Yisrael).
Summary: Joy opens the gate of Binah.
