Repentance Is Attainable!
“For this commandment that I command you today, is not hidden from you and is not
far…it is very near to you…”. The Ramban teaches that “this commandment” refers
to teshuvah (repentance). Surely, this is very puzzling. We associate teshuvah as being
something daunting and difficult, how can it be described as something close to us?
The Power Of A Thought
The truth is that the Torah is reassuring us: teshuvah is much more attainable than we imagine. Many people think teshuvah means a complete turnaround, never to sin again, and that any lapse would nullify their efforts. But this is not so. Even mere thoughts of returning to Hashem (God) have immense value, even before any action is taken. The Sages teach that even a sinner might be considered for a righteous match if he has thoughts of teshuvah – without yet changing his ways!
Yes, there are four stages of teshuvah – regret, leaving the sin, confession, and resolving never to repeat it, but teshuvah is not all-or-nothing. The intention to return is itself tremendously powerful. One might ask, “How can my teshuvah be accepted if I am bound to stumble again?” But the answer is clear: teshuvah wipes the slate clean. Whether we fall again does not erase its value.
Repentance In The Now
The Chazon Ish was once approached by a man who despaired: “Every year I try to do teshuvah, yet I keep returning to my old ways. What’s the point?” The Chazon Ish reassured him gently: even the mere intention to do teshuvah is profoundly significant, regardless of what happens in the future.
The power of teshuvah surpasses all logic. If someone speeds down the highway and cries to a police officer, “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again,” he will still receive a ticket. But when we tell Hashem, the King of Kings, “I am sorry for my sins,” He forgives completely and wipes the slate clean! The Rabbeinu Yonah, in his monumental work Shaarei Teshuvah, begins by describing teshuvah as a gift. He teaches that we must reflect on Hashem’s great kindness in granting us this priceless opportunity.
Another precious aspect of teshuvah is the special Siyata Dishmaya – Divine assistance, we receive. Rabbi Yonah explains that when a person decides to return, Hashem gives extraordinary help, beyond natural ability, to overcome the yetzer hara (evil inclination). Our yetzer hara can be cunning and persistent, yet Hashem guarantees His support when we make the initiative. There is no limit to Hashem’s willingness to accept teshuvah.
Hashem Is Gladdened With Our Return
Even the greatest sinners are granted the chance to repent. Consider King Menasheh, who worshiped idols and led the Jewish Nation astray. When he cried out to Hashem in genuine teshuvah, he was forgiven. Or Elazar ben Dudaya, once a man of great immorality, whose tears of repentance were so powerful that Heaven declared, “He has a place in Gan Eden (the world to come).” From the depths of sin, he reached the heights of spiritual reward. Hashem is our loving Father. Just as a father delights when his child turns back to him, Hashem finds immense pleasure when we return. He is always waiting for us to come closer, offering us the chance to repent. Three times daily we acknowledge this in our prayers, saying in our amida prayers in the blessing of Selach Lanu:
Baruch Atah Hashem, Harotzeh Bitshuvah – Blessed are You, Hashem, Who desires our repentance.
Parshat Nitzavim 2025
