FIND YOUR WHY: The Transformative Power of Repentance during Elul

Show Notes
Transcript

Ever wondered why it's so hard to stick to your spiritual resolutions? Today, we uncover the profound value of even a fleeting moment of repentance during Elul, a critical season for introspection and spiritual renewal. We share an eye-opening story about a person grappling with the temporary nature of their repentance and the wisdom they receive in return. Discover the significance of initiating the process of teshuvah, even if it doesn’t last as long as you’d like, and learn why every moment of sincere repentance is cherished by Hashem.

This episode is a heartfelt call to embark on a journey of self-discovery this Elul. Learn how to find your "why"—the core reason driving your spiritual commitment and repentance. Whether it's love for Hashem or fear of punishment, understanding your motivation can empower you to follow Torah with newfound resolve. We provide practical advice and inspiring insights to help you reconnect with your faith and overcome the challenges in your spiritual journey. Tune in and equip yourself with the strength to make meaningful changes and embrace the transformative power of Elul.

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Transcript

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00:00:03.289 --> 00:00:09.952
Ah, you smell that Smells fresh, smells good, smells like Elul.

00:00:09.952 --> 00:00:34.466
Welcome in, ladies and gentlemen, to the best time of year Elul Tafshin Pei, dalet of Freshness, a time to reboot our spiritual observance and adherences to God's holy law, a time to, above all else, come closer to shuv, to teshuvah, to repent and come close back to our dad in heaven.

00:00:34.466 --> 00:00:37.162
The man asked the chazanah.

00:00:37.162 --> 00:00:42.234
She said Rebbe, why should I repent the point?

00:00:42.234 --> 00:00:47.340
I know it's Elul and I know everyone's talking about Chuva, but I've been through this before.

00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:56.107
I pretty much try to repent every year and it never lasts more than a day or two, if I'm lucky, a week.

00:00:56.107 --> 00:01:04.019
So repent, do it for a month, try to come close and follow the rules for 40 days until Yom Kippur.

00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:11.391
It never doesn't even have the slightest chance that it will last my tshuva until anywhere past Sukkot.

00:01:11.391 --> 00:01:13.927
So why repent?

00:01:13.927 --> 00:01:17.088
Why get off the couch and give it another shot?

00:01:17.088 --> 00:01:20.284
You know what the chazanesh answered.

00:01:20.284 --> 00:01:25.688
He said who told you that tshuva?

00:01:25.688 --> 00:01:28.353
That repentance needs to last?

00:01:28.353 --> 00:01:32.852
Do you understand how beloved it is in the eyes of Hashem?

00:01:32.852 --> 00:01:34.808
Just a mere moment of tshuva?

00:01:34.808 --> 00:01:42.859
You can even be metkadesh, a person if you say, on the stipulation that, are you a righteous person?

00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:51.989
Because maybe the Gemara says there was a hint of a here word tshuva, the slightest thought of repenting.

00:01:51.989 --> 00:01:54.686
Do you know how significant it is?

00:01:54.686 --> 00:01:57.566
So it doesn't matter if it lasts.

00:01:57.566 --> 00:02:01.891
It matters if you can at least start the process of tshuva.

00:02:03.521 --> 00:02:12.568
Ladies and gentlemen, we give it our all this, and to do that, I'd like to pose the following conundrum.

00:02:12.568 --> 00:02:17.069
Something to ponder is we all want to repent and we all give it our best shot.

00:02:17.069 --> 00:02:23.987
What holds us back sometimes is that it's just really hard.

00:02:23.987 --> 00:02:26.722
All of us want to do what's right.

00:02:26.722 --> 00:02:33.627
We all want to say the right thing, do the right thing, eat the right thing, not gossip at the wrong time or the wrong place, or do this or taste that or eat that.

00:02:33.627 --> 00:02:38.429
Why is it that sometimes we have a misstep and fail to follow Hashem's Torah?

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Often it's because it's just really really, really hard to do what's right.

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So, this Elul, do some self-discovery and to fight back against the Eitzahara that makes it so hard.

00:02:53.760 --> 00:02:56.289
I challenge you to repent by finding your why.

00:02:56.289 --> 00:03:09.489
I talked about this with somebody else when we came to this conclusion, just like in every other goal you have, when you know your why, you know why you do what's hard, like going to work.

00:03:09.489 --> 00:03:16.687
You know why you constantly well, hit the gym because you want to become whatever.

00:03:16.687 --> 00:03:20.729
Your why is win this, do this, get rewarded with this.

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Find your why.

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In Yiddish, be brutally honest.

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You know that it's I am my beloved, I'm his and he is mine.

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But go dig deep.

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Why is it?

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Do you serve Hashem because you love dad?

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Do you serve Hashem because you're scared of punishment?

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There are so many good possible answers, but be crystal, crystal clear and understand why you want to repent and even if it's just for a second and when you know your why, is one of the most powerful forces in the world and it can strengthen you to do hard things and give us a real chance at repenting.

00:04:05.397 --> 00:04:08.508
This, elo, know your why.

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