"A Man of Peace" \ Day 11 \ 30 Days to Teshuvah
"During the Ten Days of Repentance, a person has the opportunity to entirely transform himself -- to be a Tzadik, a Man of Peace in the upcoming year."
(Ohr Yisrael, Letter Six).
Are there any cases of an individual spiritually transforming himself -- instantaneously?
The Talmud (Avodah Zorah 17a) relates: "It was said of Rabbi Elazar ben Dordaya that he visited every harlot in the world. On hearing about a harlot in a faraway town who charged a purse of gold, he took a purse of gold and crossed seven rivers to reach her. As he was in her company she blew forth her breath and said, 'Just as this breath that I blow will never return to its place, so too, Elazar ben Dordaya will never be accepted in repentance.' He immediately lowered his head and wept aloud until his soul departed, A Bat Kol proclaimed, 'Rabbi Elazar ben Dordaya is destined for a life in the World to Come!'"
We see that a person is capable of overthrowing the negative impulse in a flash and returning to HaShem. Moreover, there is a special measure of Divine Assistance during Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance. As the verse states during this auspicious period, "Seek HaShem when He is found, cry out to Him when He is close" (Yeshayahu 55:6).
Rabenu Yonah writes in his Yesod HaTeshuvah:
"On the day that a person decides to repent, he should cast away all of his misdeeds and consider himself as if he is newborn, having neither merit nor misdeed. He should live today as if it is the beginning of his deeds. From this day onward let him examine his ways so that he not depart from the good path.
He should not be deterred by thoughts of doubt (that maybe HaShem will not accept his Repentance) that undermine his will to repent. Instead let him reflect on the verse, "Good and upright is HaShem, therefore he guides the penitent on the way" (Tehillim 25:8). A person should cast off his old ways and make a new heart for himself."
Rabenu Yonah's positive message neutralizes the psychological barrier to Teshuvah.
Tip -- Internalize the dictum: HaShem is compassionate and desires our repentance. This truth is the key that opens the gates of repentance!
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