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Chabad.org » Learning & Values » Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism » Chassidic Thought » Anthologies » 54 Years, 54 Ideas » 1964: Teshuvah (Repentance) according to the Rebbe
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Redefining the Past


Nothing can hold you back -- not your childhood, not the history of a lifetime, not even the very last moment before now. In a moment you can abandon your past. And once abandoned, you can redefine it.

If the past was a ring of futility, let it become a wheel of yearning that drives you forward. If the past was a brick wall, let it become a dam to unleash your power.

The very first step of change is so powerful, the boundaries of time fall aside. In one bittersweet moment, the sting of the past is dissolved and its honey salvaged.

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By Tzvi Freeman
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; rendered by Tzvi Freeman.

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Oct 11, 2008
redefining the past
Beautiful! Inspiring. Allows people to move forward instead of becoming weighed down.
Posted By Pam, Israel

Posted: Oct 11, 2008
On Shabbat yesterday, I was just thinking the pasts. Thanks to Rabbi Tzvi Freedman's Tanya Interview on the last week's Chabad.org, I felt that G-d is close to me, near me, with me. I felt so secure, confident, and acted without feeling shackled by the past relationship with men, which bothered me for a long time. Then as I walked through a park, I realized I was still shackled by the memories of childhood with my parents. As the Rebbe said, it was a brick wall. I have to change my mindset and make it, as the Rebbe said, a dam that unleash my power. Todah Ravah Rebbe, nothing holds me back.
Posted By Ruth, Tokyo, Japan

Posted: Oct 10, 2008
redefinnin the past
sounds like a great idea unless you are prone to try to give the past the reason you do things-considered right or wrong -as the only reason and not the growth of your self awareness.

Also dwelling on the past to a certain extent could easily keep you from what you need the strength to do in the present.
Posted By Laura Mushkat, schenectady, new york

Posted: Oct 10, 2008
Redefining the Past
Thank you so much! I needed to read this lesson today of all days!
Posted By Gary Bauer, Lower Burrell, PA



 


54 Years, 54 Ideas
1957: Striving for What You Can't Achieve according to the Rebbe
1958: The Rebbe on G-d
1959: The Torah according to the Rebbe
1960: Judaism according to the Rebbe
1961: Sin according to the Rebbe
1962: The Believer's Response to Suffering in G-d's World according to the Rebbe
1963: The Youth Revolution of the 60's according to the Rebbe
1964: Teshuvah (Repentance) according to the Rebbe
1965: Freedom of Choice according to the Rebbe
1966: Egoism and Humility according to the Rebbe
1967: The Rebbe on the Holy Land
1968: Religiosity according to the Rebbe
1969: Laser Beams according to the Rebbe
1970: Time Management according to the Rebbe
1971: Personal Property according to the Rebbe
Showing 7 - 21 of 54