Sha’ar 2:9: Teshuva on Sins of Omission and Comission
Sha’ar 2:9 – sins of omission and of commission need teshuva. HKBH”H does not overlook bitul Torah because learning Torah is a corrective measure that can lead to fulfillment of all mitzvos. Conversely, bitul Torah leads to the sins of
Anochi Hashem as the Lens Through Which We Experience the World (Al haTeshuva: Bechira & Teshuva, Part 2)
The Rav zt”l explains that the Rambam understands the mitzva of Anochi Hashem Elokecha to require an intellectually-based awareness through which we view and experience everything in the world.
Sha’ar 2:8: Ignorance Caused by Insufficient Motivation as Source of Blindness to One’s Sins
Sha’ar 2:8: The skewed self-image which results in one not recognizing his need to do teshuva stems, at times, from not being sufficiently motivated to know enough about what HKB”H tells us is right and good, and therefore he doesn’t
Sha’ar 2:7-2:8: Reaching 50.1% of Lifespan as an Impetous to Teshuva. The Rebelliousness of Thinking I Don’t Have to Do Teshuva.
2:7 – Not just reaching what is conventionally described as middle aged, but even being 50.1% through one’s life should awaken one to teshuva. 2:8 – Thinking that I don’t have anything to do teshuva on is either rebelliously rejecting
Sha’ar 2:7: The Gifts of Old Age, and How Access Those Gifts Decades Beforehand
In Sha’ar 2:7, Rabbeinu Yona highlights two ways the realities of old age are conducive to teshuva: 1) they remind us that our days are limited and getting shorter and 2) ebbing physical strength makes it easier for us to
Pre-Selichos 5780
Sha’ar 2:5 – 2:6: Yisruin Shel Ahava, Viduy Before Death
In 2:5 Rabbeinu Yona talks about nisayon in the context of yisurin shel ahava. Rav Twersky explaisn how Rabbeinu Yona understands the nisayon contained within yisurin shel ahava is the mechanism through which the recipient’s reward in Olam Haba is
Al HaTeshuva: Bechira Chofshis & Teshuva, part 1
A discussion of Rav Solovetichik’s derasha that begins in Al HaTeshuva page 191. Discusses the structure of Rambam’s Hilchos Teshuva, different types of teshuva (teshuva mei’ahava vs. teshuva mei’yirah) and their relationship with different parts of Hilchos Teshuva. Reactionary teshuva
Sha’ar 2:5: Suffering as a Source of Salvation
We should hope/pray for suffering to lead to a source of salvation, and thus the suffering will have been productive. (Rav Twersky expanded this idea here in a way similar to his dvar Torahhere). A brief look at different explanations
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.