What is it about our fleeting Yom Kippur teshuvah that invokes a zechus to be forgiven?
The Shabbos of all Shabbosos is here.
It’s an annual gift from the Eibeshter that even though every year we make promises to improve and often fail to come through on them, He’s still “rotzeh bi’seshuvah,” He still wants our teshuvah.
Imagine, says Rav Nosson Meir Wachtfogel, a wealthy man regularly approached by fundraisers and meshulachim. What would happen if he began making empty promises, if he pledged $1,000, but only provided a check for $60? People would give up on him. The lines outside his house would dwindle, then disappear.
Our avodah is, of course, to make our teshuvah long lasting. But the moment Hashem sees the sincerity in our hearts on Yom Kippur, He forgives us, knowing all the while that we’re human and our resolutions might not last.
“Why does Hashem offer us the chance to do teshuvah, year after year, until 120?” Rav Wachtfogel asks. “Why does He trust us? Why does He forgive us every time?”
Create a free account to keep reading.
