Teshuvah is the act of repentance. It is possibly one of the most powerful and difficult acts a human can undergo. It requires introspection, bravery and vulnerability. The word Teshuvah literally means “returning”. It is our attempt to return to a pain we caused and discomfort we feel. Through this act we attempt to make that which hurts not hurt anymore. Teshuva is to reconcile and make peace not only with others but with ourselves. We do this by going back to past mistakes and attempting to fix them.
This quote, by Harold Kushner, was sent to me by a congregant last week:
Prayer, as I understand it, is not a matter of begging or bargaining. It is the act of inviting God into our lives so that, with God's help, we will be strong enough to resist temptation and resilient enough not to be destroyed by life's unfairness.” ... God sends us the strength to deal with the problem.”
This is exactly how we should approach the upcoming month of Elul. When we recite the prayers of Tachanun which I discussed last week, and practice teshuvah, we are inviting God in as a partner, not a prosecutor. Saying the prayers of tachanun and practicing Teshuvah should make us spiritually stronger. This week I am adding two more prayers to our list. Choose either of them to recite and reflect on:
Merciful God, beyond compare, have mercy upon Your creatures. Forgive and allow us to forgive our sins, we beseech You. Avinu malkenu, our Rock and our Redeemer, living, everlasting God. Mighty in power, loving and good to all Your creations. Patient and compassionate God be generous to us, and in so doing we can be generous with ourselves. Heed our prayer, and save us from our enemies. Heed our prayer, and save us from all trouble and sorrow. Avinu maikenu, we bear Your name; abandon us not. Abandon us not, desert us not, our Creator; forget us not, our Maker, for You are gracious and merciful.
or
Lord our God, treat us with compassion all the days of our lives. Assuage our fears, establish the work of our hands, heal our wounds, and save us from the grasp of our enemies. May weeping and wailing not be heard in our homes; may destruction and devastation not be found m our borders. May we be worthy and reverent before You when You teach us Your torah. and enlighten us in Your presence. Allow our hearts to revere You that we may prosper in all our paths. Bless us with peace that we may find tranquility in our way of life
Teshuvah is never easy. However, if we can look at our mistakes as opportunities to grow and acknowledge that we have the strength to grow we will be worthy of the redemption that comes with the high holidays.
