Clearing the Mud

In this episode of Clearing the Mud we talk about how although verbally confessing our wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness can aid us in achieving atonement, it is not the core aspect of the Teshuva process. The fundamental mitzvah of Teshuva is oriented towards the future and entails accepting God’s authority and committing to altering our behavior. Rather than dwelling on our past transgressions and the associated shame, Teshuvah is about looking ahead and consciously improving ourselves. While fasting was once utilized to accelerate the process of atonement, it is not considered a critical component of Teshuva today.

In this episode of Clearing the Mud we talk about how Teshuva should be inspired by love, the desire to be closer to God. When one repents out of love rather than social pressure or fear of punishment, then one is essentially expressing their love for Hashem. This expression of love elicits a reciprocation of love and kindness from Hashem in return.

In this episode of Clearing the Mud we talk about how the mitzvah of Teshuva is to focus on the future. Even though Teshuva is a process of return and repentance, the essence of it is simply to stop the negative behavior and resolve to do something different in the future. Remorse, confession, and begging for forgiveness are teshuva related but not the essence of it. So even when we do something where remorse is appropriate we look ahead. We don’t get stuck in shame or dwelling on the past. This is why learning about teshuvah is really a positive and empowering process, rather than a negative one.

In this episode of Clearing the Mud we talk about how we relate to challenges/suffering. It is probably the most complex issue we face and the hardest to accept. We do not seek out suffering, yet when it comes, and come it will, we work to accept it with love and by seeing it as part of our soul’s journey. Listen to the class to hear more :).

In this episode of Clearing the Mud we talk about how humans can affect so much change. Think about it. When we fulfill a positive command we bring divine light and positive energy to the world and the worlds above. When we transgress, negative energy comes into the world.