Return: The True Meaning of Teshuva
Our Sages extol the virtue of “Teshuva and good deeds.” But why do they praise the path of repentance before the path of purity? Shouldn’t repentance for misdeeds be enumerated after we speak of doing good deeds?
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Sichos in English: Yahrtzeit of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, Vov Tishrei, 5742 (1981) תורת מנחם: וא"ו תשרי, ה'תשמ"ב |
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Before doing good deeds, should you not first see where you have gone wrong in life? For in understanding yourself first and where you have gone wrong? Then would you not know where to make changes for the better and would this then not be the start of doing good deeds? Before you tell others their faults, should you not see your own first and in understanding them and wishing for change, then you can help others to see theirs? Good Deeds come from the Heart not the Head do they not?
There is merit to introspection as a means and part of repentance. Yet we are taught that a little bit of light dispels much darkness. Instead of battling the darkness within us - we should focus on doing good - which will help us overcome anything unwanted within. Towards that goal G-d gave us His Torah and His Mitzvot, so we do not need to rely on our own heart and mind to determine what good deeds to do.