Sha’ar 2:3-4: Spiritual Illness is Healed Through Physical Illness. The Optimisim Built in to Our Suffering.
Spiritual Illness is Healed Through Physical Illness. Restoring the balance between physical & spiritual. Hashem’s optimism about us which is built in to his making us suffer.
Sha’ar 2:3-4: The Benefits of Suffering
Suffering is good for us both because us both because it provides atonement and because it awakens us to do teshuva. Ignoring suffering will cause them to be increased. Rav Wolbe relates an incredible story about Rav Yeruchum when he
Changing the Past Through Teshuva (Ish Hahalacha, pp.94-96)
As described by Rav Soloveitchik zt”l in his sefer Ish Hahalacha, pp.94-96, the cause and effect relationship between the past and the present is reversible through teshuva. Who I am tomorrow is not dictated by who I am yesterday. The
Teshuva: Orientation in Life, Personalizing
The Rambam (Teshuva 3:4) first addresses those who are sleeping, preoccupied with emptiness, etc., and only then mentions sin, since since is the outcome of the aforementioned orientation in life. Later the Rambam switches fromlashon rabbimtolashon yachidbecauseteshuvamust be personalized.
Sha’ar 2:2: Denial of Sin Being Worse Than Sin Itself
As long as there is an openness to recognizing cheit, there is a path forward, be it bein adam lamakom, ne it bein adam lachaveiro. Refusing to recognize cha’to’im is a more serious aveira than the aveiros themselves.
Sha’ar 2:2: Opportunity & Responsibility in Teshuva
To ignore suffering, and not do teshuva when confronted with them, is itself an act of rebellion. Opportunity (in this case, the opportunity to be awakened and do teshuva) and responsibility always go hand on hand. The more one ignores
Sha’ar 2:2: The Right Perspective on, and Reaction to, Suffering
Ideally, teshuva should be done without outside triggers, and only enhanced by those triggers, but Hashem accepts the teshuva if externally triggered, e.g. from suffering. We should view suffering as a kindness from Hashem, and react accordingly.
Shaar 2:1: Role of Thought in Teshuva, Combatting Bad Thoughts
Both Rabbeinu Yona here as well as the Rambam (Teshuva 2:2) highlight the role of thought in Teshuva, i.e. doing teshuva in the level of thought, not just action. Thought comes into play on 2 levels in teshuva: 1) genuinely
Sha’arei Teshuva 2:1 Shivisi Hashem
Rambam, at the end of Moreh Nevuchim, and Rama (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 1:1), on Shivisi Hashem l’negdi tamid as the goal and as the basis and foundation for everything. Have to shape one’s nature via one;s knowledge. Consistency as
Sha’arei Teshuva 2:1 Remembering Hashem
Remembering Hashem puts everything in context – what’s important, goals, aspirations, etc. Remembering Hashem is both the catalyst of teshuva as well as the endpoint of teshuva. At first it momentarily changes our perspective; long term goal – Shivisi Hashem