ShalomMag HHD 2012 - Loughton Synagogue

I think the answer is that teshuva is like exercise. It is not so unfamiliar that when you go to a wedding
and join in the dancing that you realise how un-fit you are. The bochurim (yeshiva students) in the
centre circle have a Hora going that you just cannot keep up with. Never mind trying to remember the
"three steps forward - one step back" move, but before long I am panting and wondering if maybe I am
really consigned to the outer circle shuffle.
"I'm going to exercise" I say to myself. Get more fit.
But then I remember - I’ve been there - I’ve tried it
before. I ran to catch a minyan quicker. I joined a
kosher gym. I even considered cutting back on the
cholent.
It is a frustrating battle that more often than not is
doomed to failure from the word go.
The same is true with teshuva. "We’ve been here
before” we tell ourselves. We’ve made resolutions.
We’ve made commitments. We even shed tears,
yet here we are again. Whats the use of starting?
We may as well give up!
"No!" Says the Torah - Do the teshuva. You are not entering a commitment which you will fail to keep.
It is accessible.
How is it accessible? It is accessible if we make the first move.
In this week's parsha, regarding the "free spirit" - the person who does what he wants, the Torah says
" When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves,
thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,” they will bring disaster on the
watered land as well as the dry. Hashem will never be willing to forgive them; His wrath and zeal will
burn against them..."
Rav Shimon Schwab explains that of course if this person wants to do teshuva he can - Hashem will
ALWAYS accept teshuva. The only disadvantage he will have is that Hashem will not help him! He
forfeited that benefit of help when he decided he didn't care.
In any normal scenario
where we genuinely want to
do teshuva, Hashem will
help us to repent. We only
have to call out and he will
be there guide us. It can be
compared to a baby with a
soiled nappy. When the baby
cries the mother or father
comes and cleans the baby
and puts on a fresh nappy.
We have to cry out to
Hashem and he will do the
rest.
Let us take advantage of this
wonderful gift called
Teshuvah. This year, let us
truly hear and internalise the
message of the Shofar!