Although teshuva is commonly translated as "repentance," the Rebbe points out that "repentance" mainly signifies regret (charata), whereas the real meaning of teshuva is not "regret," but "return." These two concepts are very different. "Regret" suggests something new: a person feels bad about his past and now wants to follow a new path of conduct. Teshuva, by contrast, emphasizes return. Although at times, for whatever reasons, a Jew may act improperly, his basic essence is good. Thus, teshuva is to return to his true self.
You Can Do It
A Jew once told the tzaddik, Reb Yisrael of Ruzhin, "Rebbe, I have committed sins and I want to do teshuva." When the tzaddik asked him why he didn’t do teshuva, the man responded that he didn't know how. "Well, how did you know how to do the sin?" asked the tzaddik. "I just did it," the man replied. Advised the tzaddik: "So do the same now. Just do teshuva and the accounting will follow." (Sipurei Chasidim Zevin, Moadim, pg. 77)
The famous mashpia (spiritual mentor) Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman would caution that one should not suffice with tears of teshuvah, rather one must make sure to change his behavior. Just as a person who loses his money is certainly going to be more careful in the future, similarly, one who truly regrets his past sins must take heed not to return to his old ways. (Tallei Tshuva, pg. 422)
The famous mashpia Rashbatz used to teach Tanya in the yeshiva Tomchei Temimim in Lubavitch. When he arrived at the words of the Alter Rebbe, "It is certain that he will ultimately repent, whether in this gilgul (reincarnation) or another, for no one banished from Him will remain banished," he would break into tears. "Kinderlach!" he would exclaim, "You must do teshuva. Eventually you will be forced to do so, so what are you waiting for?"
The Month of Elul
In the year 1937, the Previous Rebbe wrote a letter to all yeshiva students arousing them to prepare fittingly for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur: “The month of Elul is a time for accounting of the past year, when one regrets whatever was negative, and commits to fulfill mitzvot behiddur (in the best way), to be diligent in one’s Torah and davening, and to cultivate good character traits. The Baal Shem Tov taught that the service of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur depends on one’s service during the month of Elul and the week of Selichot. One’s emphasis should be on learning Chassidus and other texts that heighten his fear of Heaven.”
During the month of Elul we bless one another to be signed and sealed for a good and sweet year. This exchange of blessings, which should be done both in speech and in writing, increases the blessings that Hashem bestows upon the Jewish people.
“Teshuva and Elul” & “Nothing Bad Comes From Above” reprinted from The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash, online at TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com
