For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L &
Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
Since we are in The Month of Mercy (Rahamim) and Selihot,
Hodesh Elul, we will now discuss a main topic: Teshuva. The Orhot Tzadikkim
explains that there are four main types of Teshuva (repentance) that literally
balance out one’s sins with Mitzvot.
The first is called Teshuvat
HaBa’ah: This Teshuva occurs when someone has fallen into the sin of coming
onto a woman (or any type of arayot,
sexual immorality) or stealing (which according the Gemara Hagigah, are the two
strongest desires) and the opportunity to sin the same exact way has come
before the individual with the same exact desire/fire to do the sin in his/her
heart, then this teshuva is done in a simple fashion. If the person stops
his/her desire and shuts off his/her need for this sin from Fear of Heaven (yirat shamayim) then this is considered Teshuav Shelema (full Teshuva).
The second is called Teshuvat
HaGader: This Teshuva consists of acting in a certain way that prevents one
from getting into the area of sinning. For example, the Orhot Tzadikkim
(written over 300 years ago) says one tries to get away from women who are in a
laughing mood (or aimlessly hanging out), one avoids looking at women’s
cleavage or even at their face or even at his wife during the time of Niddah (when relations are prohibited).
And this is the way this person does a
Gader (fence) before every Mitzvah. Whichever desire X has, for that same
desire he/she should makes fences. For example, if someone has a desire to
steal or eat unhealthy food, they should simply not go to places that have bad
security in the store or places with known restaurants that have fast food. The
person should also try not to go to these places with money or any credit
cards.
The third is called Teshuvat
HaMishkal: This Teshuva is done through balancing one’s pleasure from the
sin he/she did with the tza’ar
(suffering) that he/she feels when doing a Ta’anit
(fast) or lessening on desired foods. For example, one can do a Ta’anit Yahid
(individual fast, written in the end of the Minha Amida) or lessen the intake
of certain desserts one has. This way someone can have the intention that he/she
is doing Teshuva one stopping to eat that delicious doughnut or cookie.
The final one is called Teshuvat
HaKatuv: This teshuva, Repentance of the Written, discusses doing Teshuva
like the famous Jews in the Tanah and Gemara did Teshuva. This occurs when
someone learns heavy duty Torah, such as in the Navi (Prophets) where someone
learns all the punishments and ways of Teshuva Bnei Yisrael went through
because of their sins. For example, when someone learns about David HaMelech
and sees in Tehillim (psalms) that David used to cry heavy tears everyday due
to his ‘sin’ (which the Gemara testifies that David did not sin). David also
used to teach other people about the problems with doing what he did.
Therefore, the Teshuva was accepted.
Every person knows
what they need to do Teshuva on. And if they don’t, they need to see their
Rabbi. And if they don’t have a personal Rabbi they can speak to about
everything and anything, they have a problem.
Rosh HaShanah is two
weeks from Sunday.
Sponsor theCLD for the Ilui Neshama (memory of) or
Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one! Click the Donate Button
on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the
name(s)!
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