Section: Moadim Category: Yom Kippur | Rokei'ach: Four Kinds Of Tshuvah That You Need To Do, Haba'a, Mishkal, HaGeder, HaKasuv | Tshuva means that you need to leave your old way, put measures in place to ensure that you do not return to those ways, make amends for what you have done, and accept your punishment. The Rokei'ach outlines 4 kinds of teshuva you need for each aveira to satisfy these criteria. Tshuvas Haba'ah - This is the first and most crucial step. It is not enough that you say you won't do the aveira again. You must prove it. You can accomplish this only when you are faced with the same exact situtation once again but this time you resist the temptation to sin. Until that happens your tshuva is not complete. Our temptations when we are young are not the same as our weaknesses when we are old. We outgrow some of the silly things that turned us on as we grow up. Therefore warns Shlomo Hamelech "Zchor Boirecha Bimei Bachuroisecha", return to Hashem when you are still young because once you get old and do not have that same desire your teshuva is incomplete. Tshuvas HaGeder - Although you have made up your mind that doing the aveira was bad and you vow to stay away from it in the future, you are after all only human. It would be irresponsible not to put safeguards in place to make sure that you don't come near the possibility of tempting yourself once again. In Pirkei Avos it says that Chachomim make a fence around the torah. Everybody knows that something they really hate they don't just avoid, they stay as far away as possible from it. A tzaddik is not someone who can stare temptation in the eye and not flinch, a tzaddik is someone who shapes his whole life out of avoiding aveira. This is called Tshuvas HaGeder. The Tshuva of fences. Tshuvas HaMishkal means that although you promise to be good in the future you still need to make up for the past. If you had great physical pleasure from the aveira you need to give it back. How so? By tormenting yourself in the reverse way of your enjoyment. This is why curbing your eating, talking, sleeping, and sight are the hallmarks of teshuva. They serve as an antidote for most aveiros which are caused by excesses of the body and mind. Tshuvas HaKasuv - For many aveiros the torah prescribes a punishment to be administered by Sanhedrin whether it's Malkos , Misa, or financial restitution. Accepting the Torah prescribes punishment is called Tshuvas HaKasuv. Since there is no Bais Din today, see the Rokei'ach for ideas how you can simulate Tshuvas HaMishkal. |
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