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Discover a joyful and uplifting path to Repentance!
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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
Joy Opens the Gates of Teshuvah
Greater Delight than The World to Come
Pirkei Avos (4:17) states: One hour of Teshuvah (Repentance) and good deeds in this world is more pleasurable than the entire life of The World to Come. The Sefer Charedim (66:54) comments: “Therefore, rejoice intensely and be moved with heartfelt gratitude when engaging in Teshuvah.”
The pleasure of the World to Come is the ultimate joy, infinitely superseding all earthly pleasures. If so, how can one hour of Teshuvah performed in this world be greater than the joy of the World to Come? The pleasure of the Holy One drawing close to us in this World — and lovingly washing away our impurity and flaws — far exceeds the pleasure of the World to Come! The delight and joy of performing Teshuvah exponentially expands when we reflect upon the unbridled compassion Heaven displays by forgiving us.
The Pleasure of the Creator Lovingly Cleansing Us
The pleasure of the Creator lovingly cleansing away our impurity may be likened to a mother lovingly changing her baby’s diaper. She adjusts the water temperature so that it is comfortable for her baby and cleans him with a gentle soap. And then she kisses him when she completes the task! Indeed, the Merciful One’s unbounded goodness — revealed through His accepting our Teshuvah — is a greater pleasure than the collective delight of “the entire life of The World to Come” (Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer).
The Sweetest Joy
The Talmud states (Yoma 38b), “The person who comes to purify himself awakens Divine assistance.” Thus, one who engages in Repentance awakens Divine compassion. He merits the Holy One’s assistance to purify himself and perform Repentance! Can there be any joy sweeter than that?
The Holy Ba'al Shem Tov
Indeed, the Holy Ba’al Shem Tov, the founder of the Chasidic movement, writes when a person performs Teshuvah, even the Angels cannot recognize him! As he ascends and elevates to lofty heights, the Angels ask, ״?מי״ Meaning, “Who is that?” The Gematria (numerical value) of ״מי״ is 50, which alludes to the “50 Gates of Binah.” Binah is synonymous with Teshuvah. The person who has performed Teshuvah has dramatically transformed into another being! Thus, the Angels ask, “Who is that?” (Based on Sefer Ba’al Shem Tov)
Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz
Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz was the famed Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Kamenitz in Europe. When his beloved father was hospitalized, Rabbi Leibowitz attended to him in the hospital. One evening he had to leave his father’s side because he needed to perform an important task. He appointed a responsible caretaker to come to the hospital and watch over his father. However, that very evening, his father passed away. Rabbi Leibowitz was beside himself with grief. He performed Teshuvah to the best of his ability but was still distraught. So he went to consult the Chofetz Chaim. The Chofetz Chaim explained to him that after his heartfelt Teshuvah, he was a different “Baruch Ber Leibowitz!” Thus asserting Teshuvah has the power to change a person into a different entity! The kind words of the Chofetz Chaim comforted and consoled Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz.
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