Teshuvah – Part II The Journey Back
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n the first Morasha class of this two-part series, we examined the basic meaning of teshuvah. Teshuvah means to return – a return to God, and a return to a person’s own inner purity. In this class, we will study the route that the journey back takes. The Sages revealed a system by which full repentance can be achieved. In this class we will describe and explore this process. Each person has a unique combination of strengths and weaknesses, or, as the Sages put it: “every person is a small world” (Avot d’Rabbi Natan 23:3). To improve and change himself, a person will need to fine-tune and tailor the teshuvah process to take advantage of his strengths and to overcome his weaknesses. Thus, together with fulfilling the classic components of teshuvah to correct a wrongdoing (regret, cessation, confession, resolution, and if necessary, asking forgiveness from someone), a person also needs to have a broader approach to character change, addressing the roots of his wrongdoing. The class will conclude with some practical tools and exercises.
This class will address the following questions: What is the process of teshuvah? Can I really resolve never to repeat a mistake? What if you attempt to become reconciled with someone and he refuses your request? Why is teshuvah on one’s character traits sometimes more important than improving one’s actions? When should a person do teshuvah?
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Core Beliefs