From whence do we know that repentance (and turning away from evil) is the way to have our sins removed?
We know it from the verse that goes on to say: «As far as the mizrach (east) is from the ma’arav (west), so
far hath He [God] removed peysha’einu (our transgressions) from us»- Psalm 103:12.
Where are “East” and “West” Located? And, how far is the East from the West? The answer to this question
is that “East” and “West” are no particular locations, but rather opposite directions which we willingly
choose to follow. In other words, we could be heading East, yet in the moment we stop, and make a 180
degree turn (in order to start traveling in the opposite direction), we have thereby bridged the gap covering
“the distance” between East and West.
And that’s exactly how God removes (pardons) our sins-- they are removed the very moment we recognize
we are heading in the wrong direction (away from God, with our constant transgression of His
commandments) and choose to make a 180 degree turn [in order to start walking in the opposite direction].
This 180 degree turn is what we normally call “sincere repentance”- to have a contrite heart; to abandon evil,
and to start doing good. This is God’s true sacrifice; not that of a human Messiah, nor that of any animal
beast, but the sacrifice of our selfish ego (our “Yetzer ha-ra”, or “evil inclination”). And this is why Scripture
goes on to say: «For you don’t want sacrifices, or I would give them; you don’t take pleasure in burnt
offerings. My sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; God, you won’t spurn a broken, chastened heart»- Psalm
51:16-17;
And also, «Hashem is near unto them whose lev (heart) is broken; and saveth such whose ruach (spirit) is
contrite»- Psalm 34:18; And still in another place: «With what can I come before Adonai to bow down before
God on high? Should I come before him with burnt offerings? with calves in their first year? Would Adonai
take delight in thousands of rams with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Could I give my firstborn to pay for
my crimes, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Human being, you have already been told what is
good, what Adonai (God) demands of you - no more than to act justly (with your fellow human being), love
grace (doing mercy) and walk in purity (humility) with your God»- Micah 6:8.
Thus, mankind redemption doesn’t come from any human Mashiach, but rather from sincere repentance. In
fact, it could be validly said that repentance is [in itself] God’s true Mashiach, as it is taught in the verse that
goes on to say: «And the Go’el (Redeemer, or Mashiach) shall come to Tziyon, and unto them that make
teshuva (sincere repentance) and turn from peysha (rebellion) in Ya’akov, saith Hashem»- Isaiah 59:20.
Notice how the verse doesn’t say that Mashiach will come unto those who believe in him, but rather unto
those who make Teshuva (repent). Why? Because “Teshuva” and “Mashiach” are actually the same. And the
former is also confirmed by a Jewish Midrash (Sanh. 98a) that promises that Mashiach will come TODAY...
“if we hear His voice, and Harden not our hearts... (in other words, if we proceed to sincere repentance)”-
Psalm 95:7-8.
«A Religious text, taken out of it's Historical context, is a poor Moral pretext»
Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: