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The Joy of Repentance\Guilt-Free
Based on Tomer Devorah by the Holy Ramak
Authored and Published by the Salant Foundation
Distributed by Feldheim
The Secret of Repentance Rests On Two Pillar
דְּהַיְנוּ לִכְלֹל עַצְמוֹ בְּבִינָה, שֶׁהִיא תשובה
(4) That is, he merges himself with Binah (Divine Enlightenment), which is Teshuvah (Repentance).
The Secret of Teshuvah Elyonah (Exalted Repentance)
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 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 Teshuvah Elyonah
The effectiveness of achieving Teshuvah Elyonah rests on two pillars:
1) Steadfast joy and trust in the Creator that Binah truly holds power to “rectify every flaw.”
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 God and God 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 Holy One, Blessed Be He alone Who performs the actual wonders affected by Teshuvah Elyonah, through the Sefira (One of the Ten Divine Lights) of Binah.
As soon as Man performs and fulfills his tasks relevant to Teshuvah Elyonah, the Merciful Creator responds by revealing the Fifty Gates of Binah. The Secret of the Jubilee joins the redemptive process, granting Man freedom to elevate to his intrinsically good and Holy roots. Consequently, his soul experiences spiritual rebirth, scintillates with infinite levels of joy, and delights in closeness to the Eternal One, as stated in our prayer of Silent Devotion, “And return us in perfect Repentance before You.”
A Series of Marvels
In other words, when a person engages in Teshuvah Elyonah, a series of marvels occur:
1) Just as Binah “sweetens all the Judgments,” so too, Teshuvah Elyonah “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. Even if he committed an intentional grave misdeed, the liberating power of the Secret of the Jubilee will elevate him to the pure root of his soul and convert the sin to a Mitzvah. 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.
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