Two weeks ago we read: "And it will be, when all these things come upon you the blessing and the curse which I have set before you והשבות — that you will consider בלבבך — in your heart, among all the nations where the Lord your G-d has banished you, ושבת — and you will return to the Lord, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul, and you will listen to His voice according to all that I am commanding you this day you and your children how after G-d dispersed us among the nations…"
After this stage of repentance that was compelled by the circumstances in exile, the Torah describes how, "The Lord, your G-d, will bring back your exiles, and He will have mercy upon you. He will once again gather you from all the nations, where the Lord, your G-d, had dispersed you. And the Lord, your G-d, will bring you to the land which your forefathers possessed, and you [too] will take possession of it, and He will do good to you, and He will make you more numerous than your forefathers."
A second awakening will take place upon our return.
And the Lord, your God, will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, לאהבה — [so that you may] love the Lord your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul, for the sake of your life.
First, we will be aroused to a תשובה מיראה — Repentance out of Fear, having endured hardships that prodded us to regret our errant ways, and only after we return to flourish in our own land will we merit תשובה מאהבה — return out of love.
It would seem to be the natural progression of those who had gone astray to first be penitent out of fear and only later to achieve repentance out of love.
In the Haftorah of Shabbos Shuva we recite the famous verse, שובה ישראל — Return O Israel, עד ד' אלוקיך — until G-d your Lord. The next verse advises, take words with you, ושובו אל ד' — and return to G-d.
The Malbim notes that in the first 'return' it uses the word עד — until [G-d], and in the second 'return' אל — [to G-d].
The difference he explains is due to the first phrase referring to someone having been distant and journeying from afar. When one describes an interstate trip one says, "I am traveling from Baltimore עד New York." One traveling to another adjacent neighborhood simply says, "I'm going אל Owings Mills".
He explains that the prophet is sharing that despite the emotional and troubling distance one may be coming from in the relationship, he can quickly return 'to' G-d, up close.
Isn't there a tiring process of regret, relinquishing, firm commitment to change, and sincere confession for the sins that create distance between us and G-d?
Can one jump to the front of the line without doing the due diligence of Teshuva over the many sins one may have committed?
There are only two days left before our fates will be sealed, is there still a possibility to affect a sweeping Teshuva in that time/
Join me in a revelation from one of the greatest Rishonim who revealed a most fascinating path for change that is accessible to anyone?
Hope to see you then.
בברכת גמר חתימה טובה,
באהבה,
צבי יהודה טייכמאן