| The text of Tomer Devorah, written by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (HaRamak). Teshuvah Elyonah ~ Exalted Repentance. Chapter Four, Binah (Divine Enlightenment). Presented in the original Hebrew text and accompanied with the English translation. The English text is annotated with the commentary of “Laughter Will Fill Our Mouths.”
Absolute Positivity
It’s important to realize that the Ramak presents only the positive option: “Elevate!” The Ramak is telling us that regarding true Teshuvah (Repentance) there is only one sure path to success: by focusing on the positive; on elevating ourselves. Similar to the way a fragile mail parcel is clearly labeled: “This side up”; or how a “one-way” street sign is clearly marked with an arrow indicating the proper direction, the Ramak advocates only a positive perspective of the Creator and His absolute compassion. This is the essential meaning underlying the concept of “Knowing God,” for the Upper Realm, in which Binah resides, is total compassion and kindness, and at that level our Teshuvah is always accepted (and “never rejected”)! Therefore, a person should always incline himself to ascend to his holy root, for in that place, he is always welcome in the Holy One’s presence.
In keeping with this, we find Rabbi Akiva’s exclamation (Yoma 85b): Fortunate are you, O Israel! Before Whom are you purified, and Who purifies you? Your Father in Heaven, as it states (Ezekiel 37:28): And I sprinkled purifying waters upon you and purified you, and (Jeremiah 17:13): A mikveh (ritual pool) for Yisrael is God: Just as a mikveh purifies the impure, so does the Holy One, May be be Blessed purify Israel.
Let us state again, clearly: not only does Teshuvah Elyonah (Exalted Repentance) rectify every sin, no matter how bitter and toxic, it also elevates every person to the source of his goodness, and there are absolutely no exceptions to the truth of this rule. As God said unequivocally to Cain: “Surely if you will make yourself good – Elevate!”
The Moment of Truth
We mentioned above that Cain was Evil from his origin. If so, why did Heaven only reveal to him the Secret of Teshuvah Elyonah after his intensely negative response to having his offering rejected? Why didn’t He inform him from the beginning that there was hope for his defilement to be cleansed, even though it pervaded his entire being? The answer is, prior to this visceral rejection, Cain was only dimly aware of his negativity, which lay dormant in the deep recesses of his subconsciousness.
Only after being jolted by the unpleasant reality of the Almighty rejecting his offering – while accepting his brother’s – did Cain experience the true bitterness of his impurity. The intense pain of this wrenching test inflamed the latent toxicity that crouched at the entranceway to Cain’s heart. After the venom of the Nachash (Primordial Serpent) blazed within him, he perforce acknowledged the true extent of his inner corruption. Now the time was ripe for God to reveal to Cain that the power to transform himself to goodness lay within his own heart. If only he would choose to seize the moment and utilize his inner goodness.
The Endless Journey
The Holy One beckons us to journey upwards higher and higher to the sacred realm of Binah (Divine Enlightenment), where the root of our souls are stationed. The root of our soul’s journey extends upwards — forever — as it merges with the infinite Heavenly Light. Our intention to ascend is celebrated with new levels of joy, as we discover new worlds of Holiness. | 
