Return to your Treasures

Another aspect of Teshuva-Repentance is revealed by paying attention to the roots of the term. As we know, defining a term explains much about whatever it is. For example, the exact term we may use introducing someone will teach a great deal about the true essence of our relationship. Some what similarly, understanding the roots of the definition of the Mitzvah of Teshuva will teach us about it’s essence.

In Hebrew, every word has it’s root letters, sometimes shared in many words, pointing us the way to a inner meaning. While in English we use the word- Repentance, meaning feeling sorry and regretting our negative actions, Teshuva has a different meaning. It’s root is Shav, meaning Return, which affects our translation of Teshuva as the returning. Teshuva isn’t all about digging in painful experiences of the path, it is actually about cleansing ourselves from the past, and returning to our true selves, with a great hope for the future.

There is a beautiful song by Shlomo Carlebach, the Dancing Rabbi, of recent times, on this theme. The video bellow is of a talented Israeli singer called Yonatan Raz-el singing it at a concert.

Lyrics:

Return again, Return again, Return to the land of your soul.

Return to who you are, Return to what you are, Return to where you were born and reborn again.

Relive the joy of your fathers before you who lived with the song of the Lord on their lips, they sang…

And return the Cohannim to their holy temple service, and the Levites to their song and praise, and return Israel to their place of rest.

(My free translation)

There is an inspiring story about a Hassid, a follower of a Holy Master who came to ask for advice on Teshuva, which he felt was very hard. The Rebbe, the Holy Master, turned his face from the Hassid, and called out to his young son, who was by the window. The child immediately turned to face his father inquiringly. The Rebbe smiled as he turned to his Hassid, and answered: “Teshuva means returning, all we have to do is the small effort of returning our attention, our eyes and hearts to the Master of the Universe”.

As we  all know, we all have the most wonderful souls, originated in the highest realms of G-dliness. Teshuva is all about returning to this inner place, reconnecting with G-d’s presence which lives in us, enlivens us endlessly.

Please feel free to comment, I’d like getting some feedback.

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