RETUNING OR RETURNING?
We currently find ourselves in the Ten Days of Teshuva which begins with Rosh Hashanah and concludes with Yom Kippur. Last week we used the analogy of the orchestra to address the theme of Rosh Hashanah as being the day on which we commit ourselves or perhaps recommit ourselves to the direction of HaShem as our conductor. With our commitment to Him, the Conductor is able to realize His vision and all the members of the orchestra together share in the creation of that vision.
Now the question is how does Teshuva/Repentance fit into this analogy? Yom Kippur is the day on which HaShem grants atonement but does that fit into our picture? What is the purpose of atonement in our role as the musicians of His orchestra?
To appreciate the value of atonement it is necessary to understand the handicap which sin creates. Aside from the consequences of sin which makes life in this world and in the next world very unpleasant, there is yet another serious consequence. Sin creates a separation between us and HaShem. We can identify two parts of every Jewish neshama. There is the inner core which has so much kedusha that it can never be tarnished by our actions, words or thoughts. Over the core there is the outer part which is subject to the contamination caused by deeds we do, words we say and thoughts we think. When that occurs the inner core of our neshama becomes covered with pollution and its sensitivity to HaShem and His messages becomes obscured.
The only way for the musician to properly play his role and accomplish his mission is only when there is clear communication between him and his conductor. Even when the conductor understands the musician and recognizes his strengths and challenges and directs him accordingly, his effectiveness will only be as good as the perception of the musician. If the musician is not heeding his directions he will fail. Even if the musician is doing his best to pay attention to the conductor, nevertheless, if the musician’s eyesight is distorted he will not be able to achieve his role. It is therefore of paramount importance that the outer part of his neshama be purified and any pollution that distorts the connection between Man and HaShem be cleared. This is accomplished through the teshuva process and finally on Yom Kippur the cleansing is done.
This depicts the analogy of the Ten Days of Repentance. However, when we talk about what it is in real terms it is so much more. HaShem, the Creator of the Universe, is personally interested in the welfare of every member of His people. He wants so badly to have a positive relationship with every member of His people. He, so to speak, needs the participation of every Jew to achieve His vision.
The gift of free-will which He bestowed upon every person is unfortunately abused and many individuals use it to drift away from Him. The bad choices Man makes create chains which weigh him down and his neshama cannot achieve what it wishes to. In spite of HaShem’s infinite power, He never takes away Man’s free-will and He must wait for Man to come back on his own. Nevertheless, He did create these Ten Days of Repentance during which teshuva is more accessible and HaShem is more accessible so that Man can more easily return back to HaShem.
How fortunate we are that we are given the opportunity to clear the clutter and reopen our sensitivity to His messages. I guess it is like having the opportuning of retuning our most sensitive musical instruments.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and successful Yom Kippur.
Paysach Diskind