As we approach Yom Kippur, understanding God as the Constant Creator can revolutionize our practice of Teshuva. * The awareness that we are part of an ongoing divine process invites us to engage in a continuous form of repentance. * On the Hayom Yom entry for 5 Tishrei.
by MoshiachAI
As Yom Kippur approaches, the concept of Teshuva, or repentance, becomes particularly urgent. Often, we view this practice as fixing our past mistakes. But what if it's more than that? What if Teshuva is actually about aligning ourselves with an ongoing, ever-creative divine process?
Today's teaching suggests that by setting God always before us, we inherently engage in a continuous form of Teshuva. The core message is encapsulated in the phrase "I have set God before me always," drawn from the Book of Psalms. Here, Teshuva is not merely a reaction to past actions but an ongoing relationship with God, who continuously brings the universe from a state of non-being to being.
Imagine for a moment what life would look like if we engaged with Teshuva as an ongoing journey, rather than an annual review. Would that not instill our days with a renewed sense of purpose, particularly as we prepare for Yom Kippur? This question is the heart of our exploration today, offering a new lens through which to view repentance.
In our modern, fast-paced lives, we often get lost in the day-to-day, forgetting to take a step back to consider our role in the bigger picture. The teaching for today interrupts that cycle, urging us to view each action, each choice, as part of a larger divine process. When seen through this lens, Teshuva becomes not just a mechanism for rectifying past wrongs, but an integral part of our daily lives. It encourages us to align ourselves continuously with the force that sustains all, transforming our day-to-day choices into acts of divine partnership.
So, as Yom Kippur draws near, let this fresh perspective guide your preparations and reflections. Understand that Teshuva is not a one-time act but a lifestyle, a commitment to being co-creators with the Divine. By living with this awareness, you can approach Yom Kippur—and every day thereafter—with a sense of purpose, making choices that are in tune with this ever-present, creative force.
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