Day One
Preface
They asked the Holy One, May He be Blessed, ‘What is the fate of a sinner?’ He answered, יעשו תשובה ויתכפר לו, ‘Let him perform repentance and it will atone for him,’ as it says (Tehillim 25:8), ‘Good and upright is HaShem, therefore he shows sinners the way’ — He shows them the path to perform repentance. (Yerushalmi Makos 7a)
We accept Teshuvah — Repentance — as a basic premise of the Torah. However, the concept of Teshuvah is counterintuitive! If we committed a misdeed, how can we uproot it from reality?
The Seven Clouds of Glory that surrounded Klal Yisrael (the Jewish People) in the Wilderness are the same Clouds that surround HaShem’s Throne of Glory. Because of this, we were graced with Divine Sanctity in the Wilderness. These Clouds of Glory are open and accessible for Teshuvah (Repentance) and Tefillah (Prayer) to rise through them, as the Talmud teaches (Yoma 86b): “Teshuvah ascends to the Throne of Glory.” When Klal Yisrael transgresses the Divine Will, the Clouds of Glory transform themselves into a structure similar to a ‘sukah.’ The pure souls of Israel are rooted in the Throne of Glory, which thoroughly purifies them (cf. Kad HaKemach, “Sukah” 49b).
This teaching of the Kad HaKemach is mystifying, to say the least. Why do the Clouds of Glory form into a “sukah” even before Klal Yisrael engages in Teshuvah? The Merciful One knows that the sensitive souls of Klal Yisrael will be remorseful when they transgress and quickly respond with Teshuvah. Therefore, He anticipates their reaction and forms the Clouds into a “sukah.”
Yet, what is the connection between the Clouds of Glory being receptive to Teshuvah on one hand, and forming into a “sukah,” on the other?
The awareness that our Teshuvah ascends to the very Throne of Glory – which requires us to turn to the One Who sits there when seeking forgiveness – may be unsettling and even overwhelming! This is especially so when one recognizes his flaws, thinking, “How can I ask the King of the Universe for forgiveness when I acted so brazenly?”
Responding in kind to our humility and contrite spirit, HaShem mercifully forms the Clouds of Glory into a “sukah” – a humble and unimposing abode. He welcomes every remorseful soul into His Presence — His very Home — as it says in our Prayers, “For your Right Hand is open to receive penitents.”
The practical takeaway from this passage is that when we engage in Teshuvah, the Merciful One immediately awakens His Divine Attribute of Compassion and accepts us into His humble “sukah.” As we ascend to the holy roots of our souls, the Creator thoroughly cleanses us with His purifying waters.
