When Rav Simcha Bunim was a merchant, before he became a Rebbe, he often engaged some of his fellow Jewish merchants, who had strayed from Yiddishkeit, in a game of chess. He would use this opportunity to sneak in some remark that would help them mend their ways.
Once, he was playing chess when he made an illegal move. His opponent complained that the move was against the rules of the game.
Rav Simcha Bunim apologized profusely and begged his opponent’s forgiveness. “I am sorry I made a mistake. Please forgive me this one time and allow me to redo my move.”
His opponent conceded and agreed to allow Rav Simcha Bunim to make a different move, since this was the first time he had made such a mistake.
They continued playing until once again Rav Simcha Bunim made an illegal move. Again his opponent caught him and berated him, castigating Rav Simcha Bunim for the illegal move. Once again Rav Simcha Bunim apologized and asked his opponent to forgive his mistake and allow him to redo his move.
This time, however, his opponent refused. The first time he was willing to overlook the mistake, but he would not give Rav Simcha Bunim a second chance.
Rav Simcha Bunim now spoke up and said, “See how a person can make such a bad mistake and go so far down the wrong path that now nothing can help him return? If things go too far, he can never go back to correct his mistake and do it right!”
The words penetrated the merchant’s heart. He repented while he still had a chance to “redo his moves” and became a complete ba’al teshuva.
