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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
Divine Enlightenment Functions in a Duel Capacity
Binah which is Teshuvah
The Ramak stated previously: “Binah (Divine Enlightenment) functions to “sweeten all the Judgments” and to neutralize their bitterness; so too, Man engages in Teshuvah (Repentance) and “rectifies every flaw.” We see that while Binah functions to “sweeten all the Judgments,” Man’s emulation is to “rectify every flaw.” How does he accomplish this? By engaging in Teshuvah. It seems clear from this that Teshuvah is the function of Man.
Subsequently, however, the Ramak writes: “One who contemplates Teshuvah all his days causes Binah to illuminate all his days; it thus emerges that all his days are spent in Teshuvah. That is, he merges himself with Binah, which is Teshuvah.”
The contradiction is glaring: previously we understood that Binah “sweetens the Judgments,” whereas Teshuvah, performed by man “rectifies every flaw.” This indicates that there is a powerful distinction wherein it is Man’s function to perform Teshuvah! If so, we need to understand why the Ramak asserts that “Binah is Teshuvah?”
The answer lies in a proper understanding of the wonder that is Teshuvah Elyonah (Exalted Repentance), which functions to elevate the bitterness of transgression to its sweet root. It is true that when a person’s heart stirs him to return to his Father in Heaven, he intends to elevate his soul to the Realm of Binah. That “effort” is where Man’s role in his Teshuvah Elyonah finishes. Only Binah itself holds the astounding ability to elevate the bitterness to its sweet root. Accordingly, by raising Man’s soul to its holy source, Binah plays an integral role in the process of Teshuvah Elyonah. When a person “contemplates Teshuvah” he elevates his soul to Binah, which holds the key to elevate a bitter element to its sweet root.
Binah Functions in a Dual Capacity
Therefore, Binah functions in a dual capacity: vis a vis the Sefira (the Divine Light) of Binah, it “sweetens all the Judgments.” Simultaneously, regarding Man’s Teshuvah, “Man engages in Teshuvah and rectifies every flaw.” Yet, Man has his limitations attaining the sanctification of Teshuvah Elyonah, like the farmer planting the seed, as we mentioned above. Now, with Teshuvah Elyonah, one contemplates engaging in Teshuvah with Trust in the power of Binah and the intention of ascending to his soul’s root. He thus awakens Binah’s light to shine upon him. This causes the sweetening of the bitter blemish, through its elevation to the sweet source of the soul’s sanctity. Hence, the Sefira of Binah, its effects, and Teshuvah Elyonah are all bound together.
The Three Stages of Teshuvah Elyonah
When Man strengthens his faith in the wondrous power of Binah and intends to ascend to his holy root stationed in Binah, the Light of Binah illuminates upon Man and purifies him from all his blemishes. He thus attains Teshuvah Elyonah. This wondrous process occurs in three stages. Firstly, it is fitting for Man to intend to elevate himself to his pure root stationed in Binah. And when he does so, he elevates himself significantly to the heights of the spiritual realm. Therefore, his joy, faith and intention elevate him to the highest level attainable for Man. However, the final ascent wherein he “sweetens the judgment and neutralizes the bitter” — when he accesses his innate Holiness — is beyond human capacity. His ascent to his spiritual root awakens the second stage, wherein the Light of Binah illuminates upon him. Thirdly, the purifying Light of Binah illuminates upon him and elevates him to his holy and pure root, stationed in Binah. As the Ramak writes, “One who contemplates Teshuvah all his days causes Binah to illuminate all his days; it thus emerges that all his days are spent in Teshuvah.”
Like a Beneficial River
It’s vital to point out that Binah serves as an independent, general force that does not necessarily merge with a given individual. A river, which flows unceasingly, provides water to the earth and its creatures. As the verse in Tehillim (104:10-11) states: “He Who sends springs into rivers; between the mountains they flow; to water all the beasts of the fields; the wild creatures quench their thirst.” However, a person can only enjoy a river’s benefits if he is willing to go there. If not, then he obviously can’t tap into its resources, no matter how bountiful and life-saving they may be. So too, there is a continual outpouring from Binah which functions “to sweeten all the Judgments” – but only to the extent to which we avail ourselves of it. To paraphrase the popular expression, “A man must not only lead himself to water, but also force himself to drink!”
We have the opportunity and the free-will choice to tap into the holiness of Binah whenever we choose. We initiate the process of Teshuvah Elyonah by intending to ascend to our holy root. At the very moment we choose to contemplate Teshuvah Elyonah, Binah’s light shines upon us and elevates our soul to its pure source.
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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