Last week’s issue of Mishpacha Magazine carried a very poignant editorial by Rabbi Moshe Grylak about the days of awe - otherwise known as the Yomim Noraim. The Aseres Yemei Teshuva (the ten days of repentance between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) are days where we are supposed to focus on regretting our sins and
resolving to not do them again. And yet, as Rabbi Grylak points out, right
after Yom Kippur, most of us go back to old patterns of behavior. Which include
doing the same sins we have always done. How- asks Rabbi Grylak - does that merit
for us any real forgiveness from God?
Is it not the height of insincerity to ask for forgiveness
knowing in the back of our minds that we will likely not change our bad
behavior? Can this be considered real repentance?
Rabbi Grylak answers that question with a quote from Alei
Shor, the Mussar Sefer written by one of the foremost Baalei Musar of the 20th
century, Rav Shlomo Wolbe. Rav Wolbe’s credentials on that subject are enhanced (at least
for me) by the fact that he is a Baal Teshuva and was not raised Frum from
birth.
I find his perceptions about appropriate Jewish behavior to be
exactly on target. As demonstrated by one of his more famous essays in Alei Shor
about the false ideology of Frumkeit.
Rabbi Wolbe answers Rabbi Grylak’s question by citing the
special nature of Yom Kippur. If one is sincere in their regret over the sins they
have committed even knowing that he very well may relapse, his slate is nevertheless wiped clean. God knows that we are not Malachei HaSharies - His ministering angels.
And he gave us Yom Kippur in order to forgive those of us who sincerely regret our sins.
Of coarse this only applies to the sins Bein Adam L’Makom – between man
and God. Those that invlove Bein
Adam L’Chavero - between man and his
fellow man - first require Mechila (forgiveness) from those we have sinned against. God will not touch those sins until we do that.
It is worth contemplating all of this as we are about to enter the
holiest day of the year where Jews all over the world will be fasting and
praying for forgiveness. It is heartening to know that God has taken into
consideration our own humanity in granting us forgiveness.
