Sponsored in loving memory of Joseph and Shirley Goldwasser by Avraham and Joyce Litzman, their children and grandchildren.
Day Sixteen
דהינו לכלל עצמו בבינה, שהיא תשוב.
(4) That is, he merges himself with Binah, which is Teshuvah.
The Secret of Teshuvah Elyonah
These words embrace the enigma of Teshuvah Elyonah. Success in attaining this sublime level of Teshuvah is contingent on one’s ascending and binding himself to the Ohr Binah, the Light of Binah. Imagine the thrill of Columbus and his fellow explorers upon discovering new lands across the sea. After months of uncertainty, dwindling supplies and mutinous murmurings from the crew, the lookout suddenly raises a heartening cry, “Land ho!” In an instant, crushing despair transformed to joyful euphoria: an entire New World had been discovered! They were bursting with excitement and exuberance, not to mention weeping with unrestrained relief. Now understand that even such vivid and genuine emotion pales to nothingness in comparison to the sublime delight of “merging oneself with Binah!”
In his infinite mercy, the Almighty allows a person to reconnect with the untainted essence of his soul. The elation of this experience is the exquisite ecstasy attained through ascending to the realm of Binah. By “merging with Binah” one crosses the threshold into a sublime dimension of holiness, healing, and life, the joy of the very World to Come!
The effectiveness of achieving Teshuvah Elyonah rests on two pillars: 1) Steadfast trust in the Creator that Binah truly holds power to “rectify every flaw,” and 2) Intent to ascend to the holy root of one’s soul, which resides in Binah. By virtue of one’s faith and his intention “to merge with Binah,” its light shines upon him and arouses the wonder of Teshuvah Elyonah.
Planting a Seed
It can be likened to a farmer planting a seed. The farmer knows that in order for the seed to sprout, it’s critical for him to plow the field, plant and water it, and tend to the seedlings. However, he is also well aware that these are the limits of his efforts, and that it is HaShem and HaShem alone Who engenders the incomprehensible wonder of wheat sprouting from a seed. At that point, success is in the hands of the Almighty, and “all” he can do is pray! So too, man's role in performing Teshuvah Elyonah is to have Trust and utilize his gift of free-will to ascend to his holy root. However, it is the Merciful One alone Who performs the actual wonders affected by Teshuvah Elyonah, through the Sefira of Binah.
In other words, when a person engages in Teshuvah Elyonah/Supernal Repentance, a series of marvels occur:
1) Just as Binah “sweetens all the Judgments,” so too, Teshuvah Elyonah/Supernal Repentance “rectifies every flaw.”
2) When Binah casts its sublime illumination upon him, a series of miracles is initiated whereby he is now free to ascend to his holy root and transform himself entirely to goodness. His past misdeeds and indiscretions follow his lead, similarly ascending and converting to goodness. Moreover, his transformation inspires the Accusing Forces created as the byproducts of his misdeeds, to similarly ascend to their roots and implant themselves in holiness.
These lofty concepts will be elaborated in the upcoming pages.
