29 Sep YOM KIPPUR

Kabbalos

One of the paths of Teshuvah is to make a kabbalah, a good resolution, and to keep it throughout the year, without fail. Often it is recommended that it should be an easy mitzvah or good deed to keep because then there is a greater likelihood that he will succeed in sticking to it throughout the year.

These†“small”†deeds†significantly†change†and improve the person. It states “Do teshuvah up to Hashem, your G-d.” What is the pasuk telling us? Rebbe Shmelke of Nickelsberg zt’l explained it this way: Do Teshuva up to a certain point. Don’t take on yourself too much, because then you will never succeed. But with small steps, you can attain immense growth.

The Beis Avraham zt’l told the following mashal: There was an alcoholic who decided that it was time to change. He resolved never to drink alcohol again. He made this kabbalah at night, and true to his word, he didn’t have his usual late-night drink. In the morning, he was craved a beer. He began walking towards the tavern but stopped himself midway. “I can’t do this,” he told himself and returned home.

In the afternoon, he walked to the tavern. But then he caught himself and returned home. By nighttime, he complimented himself. He said, “Today, I controlled myself from†drinking†all†day†longƆI†had†four†or†five†difficult†tests¨†but†I†was†strong†like†iron¨†and†I kept my resolve. For this, I deserve a reward.” He went off to the bar to celebrate.

Often our Teshuvah looks the same. We resolve to improve in some aspect, we are successful to a certain degree, and we pat ourselves on our shoulder and evert to our old ways. Therefore, it is recommended to make a kabbalah that you can always keep, without fail. It seems small, but one good deed leads to another until we will change completely.

Be Happy with the Atonement

The Chasam Sofer zt’l says that we don’t do Teshuvah on our own. Hashem places in our hearts the desire to return to Him. Our part and our credit are that we are happy that we are doing Teshuvah. Teshuvah means changing routines, leaving forbidden pleasures, and it requires effort, and the human body doesn’t like to exert itself. Therefore, it is natural for a person not to be happy with his Teshuvah. But we are happy, because we know that we are becoming beloved to Hashem and our neshamos are being cleansed from the tar of sin that was smothering over it. And our joy is our part and merit in the teshuvah process.

With this thought in mind, the Chasam Sofer explains the pasuk (Tehillim14:7) מי†יתן†מציון

ישועת†ישראל†≠†בשוב†ה׳†¨†שבות†≠†עמו†יגל†יעקב†≠

ישמח†ישראל†. Dovid HaMelech is asking, מי

, יתן†מציון†≠†ישועות†ישראל

why should we merit Moshiach? , שבות†עמו

the Teshuvah that the ation does is really , בשוב

ה׳†Hashem’s Teshuvah,

because Hashem puts into their heart a desire to repent. So why do we deserve Moshiach? The answer is, יגל†יעקב†≠†ישמח

ישראל†, we are happy

with the Teshuvah, and for that we deserve to be redeemed.

Chazal tell us (end of Taanis) that Yom Kippur is one of the happiest days of the year, because on this day we are cleansed from all our sins. The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 7:6) writes, “Yesterday Hashem hated him. He was disgusting, distant, an abomination. Today he is beloved, precious, close, a friend.18 Shouldn’t we rejoice with all our might?

We say (in tachanun): הפותח†¨יד†≠†בתשובה†לקבל

פושעים†≠†וחטאים†Hashem wants our Teshuvah.

The next words are נבהלה†נפשינו†≠†מרוב†עצבונינו

. Rebbe Moshe Kobriner zt’l explained: Since Hashem wants our Teshuvah, how can we be sad? נהלה†נפשינו†, we are shocked and

surprised with ourselves, , מרוב†עצבונינו†that

we are so sad. We should be the happiest people in the world.

Hashem forgave the Jewish nation for the egel on Yom Kippur, and since then, it is a day of atonement for all generations. The Midrash (Tana d’Bei Eliyahu Zuta, end of ch.4) states, “Moshe went up on Har Sinai for forty days… On the fortieth day [Yom Kippur] the Jewish nation decreed a fast day; the fast began by night… In the morning, they went towards Har Sinai. They were crying as they came towards Moshe and Moshe was crying as he came towards them. Their cries went up before Hashem, and Hashem’s compassion was roused on Bnei Yisrael and He accepted their Teshuvah… Hakadosh Baruch Hu said, ‘Bnei Yisrael! I swear by My name and by My throne that your tears will become tears of immense joy. This day will be a day for atonement for you, your children and grandchildren, for all generations.’”