Rabbi David Wilensky
The 2 types of Teshuva
When one does Teshuva motivated by love, sins can become merits because they're impetus to a real self improvement, move towards God
As we approach the Yamim Noraim, there’s a clear motif that pervades this part of the Jewish calendar, the mitzvah of Teshuva. Throughout the year we may have lost focus and not maximized our potential, and therefore this part of the year is set aside for us to reorient ourselves with God.
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This is clearly delineated in the Yom Kippur liturgy “For on this day Hashem will atone for us and purify us, in front of God we will be purified”. The question is what is the difference between atonement (Kaparah) and purity (Taharah)?
Rav Joseph Soleveitchik in his work Al HaTeshuva explains that these two terms correspond to the two effects sin has upon a person. On the one hand, there is a punishment that is incurred when a sin is done, but on a deeper level, there is also an effect the sin has upon our character, which is a more serious element of sin.
Therefore, there are two types of Teshuva, one which results in kaparah, atonement, and one which results in purification, which cleanses our character and we become better people.
Intentional and Unintentional sins
How does one attain this level of purity? The Talmud Yoma quotes two contradictory statements of Reish Lakish. On the one hand he says that Teshuva is so great, it can turn intentional sins into unintentional sins, and one the other hand he says that Teshuva can turn intentional sins into merits.
The Talmud explains that it depends on what type of Teshuva you are talking about. If the Teshuva is motivated by fear of God, the intentional sins turn into unintentional sins, but if the Teshuva is motivated by love of God, the intentional sins turn into merits.
How can sins turn into merits? Rav Soleveitchik explains that Teshuva motivated by fear is when a person focuses on their past and the sins they have done, and attempts to remove themselves from their sins.
Teshuva motivated by love is where a person holistically understands that the sins that one has performed have had an effect on the character of the person, and it’s not enough to cut oneself off from one’s past actions, but rather one needs to work on themselves to become better people to improve one’s character.
The sins actually become the building blocks to becoming better people. Therefore, Rav Soleveitchik explains, when one does Teshuva motivated by love, the sins can become merits because they are the impetus to a real self improvement and move towards God.
Rabbi David Wilensky is the rabbi of Congregation Ohab Zedek, New York City, NY
Courtesy of the Orthodox Union Take Five for Torah program
