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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
Teshuvah Rectifies Every Flaw.
הַאֵיךְ יַרְגִּיל הָאָדָם עַצְמוֹ בְּמִדַּת הַבִּינָה? וְהוּא לָשׁוּב בִּתְשׁוּבָה שֶּׁאֵין דָּבָר חָשׁוּב כָּמוֹהָ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא מְתַקֶּנֶת כָּל פְּגַם
(1) How does one inculcate himself with the attribute of Binah (Divine Enlightenment)? By engaging in Teshuvah (Repentance) — for there is nothing as paramount as Teshuvah, as it rectifies every flaw.
Teshuvah Rectifies Every Flaw
As a general rule, when the Torah wishes to discuss a derivative concept, it first introduces the primary, essential concept from whence the derivative springs, and only then turns to the derivative itself. For example, consider the Torah’s focus on the import of Man’s having been created in the Divine Image. First the Torah elucidates (to the extent of our limited ability to grasp) the concept of “the Almighty’s power and capabilities,” revealed through His affecting the Creation. Only then does it introduce the concept of Man’s having been created in the “Divine Image” – and thus mirroring His power in some way, no matter how diminished and limited. Only after the concept of “the Almighty’s power” is clear, can we understand the significance of Man’s having been created in His Image. If so, we may rightfully ask, why did the Ramak first present the comparison to Binah, man’s Repentance, and only afterward clarify the power of the Divine Level of Spirituality of Binah – that it “sweetens all Judgments and neutralizes their bitterness?”
The answer is that it is human nature to worry and fret over our sins, to lose hope of awakening Divine compassion and attaining forgiveness. Therefore, the Ramak first emphasizes the power of Teshuvah “for there is nothing as paramount as Teshuvah, as it rectifies every flaw.” This statement proclaims clearly that there is no transgression or negative character trait whatsoever that the Holy One, Blessed Be He will not forgive and that man cannot rectify! Therefore, “there is nothing as paramount as Teshuvah!” As the Talmud (Yerushalmi Peah 5) states, “There is nothing that can stand in the way of Teshuvah.” In this light, even before learning of Binah’s power to “sweeten all Judgments,” it is essential to first inform and encourage us that Teshuvah “rectifies every flaw.”
Encouragement to Perform Teshuvah
In Parshas Shemini (Vayikra 9), the Torah tells us that the Holy One consecrated Aaron to serve as the High Priest in the Tabernacle. Moshe instructed Aaron to bring a young bull for a sin-offering. The significance of the “young bull” was to convey to Aaron that through this offering, he would be forgiven for his role in the sin of the golden calf (Rashi, Vayikra 9:2). When Aaron saw the altar, he imagined it as “the image of an ox,” and fear seized him because of his involvement in the sin of the golden calf. Therefore, Moshe came forward and encouraged Aaron to strengthen himself, approach the altar and offer the calf — and attain the Holy One’s forgiveness (Ramban, Baal HaTurim20, Vayikra 9:7-8).
We understand from Aaron’s initial hesitation that it is human nature for a person to be overwhelmed by feelings of remorse when engaging in Teshuvah. Therefore, just as Moshe encouraged his brother Aaron to perform Teshuvah, the Ramak encourages his brethren to perform Teshuvah.
The Final Redemption
Regarding the importance of Teshuvah and its role leading to the final redemption, the Torah states (Devarim 30):
And you will return unto the Eternal, your God, and listen to His voice, according to everything that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul.
Nachmanides writes that although the Torah writes this text as a commandment, “And you will return to the Eternal, your God, and listen to His voice, according to everything that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul,” nevertheless, it is expressed in the future tense. The Creator intended these verses to be an assurance to the Jewish people living in the far-flung lands of the diaspora, that they have the capacity to repent and perform all His commandments that I command you today. For this commandment of Teshuvah is not concealed from you, nor is it far away from you; it is very close to you to fulfill at every time and every place (Based on Nachmanides).
Let us state clearly and unequivocally that “there is nothing as paramount as Teshuvah as it rectifies every flaw,” no matter how bitter and toxic. This is an absolute truth, with no exceptions, for the Holy One, Blessed Be He decrees that “Teshuvah rectifies every flaw!”
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