Shalom friends,

Just recently I was reminded about "T'shuva" by an email that I received from a reader.  The first day of Elul is coming up soon (August 29, 2003).  This begins the days of T'shuva which ends forty days later on Yom Kippurim.  T'shuva is a time of introspection. It is a time when all wrongs must be put right. It is a time of forgiving and asking for forgiveness. It is a time of reconciliation so that there will be no hurt feelings between friends or kin. It is a time for repairing damaged relationships. One must have his/her life in order so that he/she can stand before HaShem on Yom Kippurim dressed in white.

T'shuva is a time when we must dig deep into our hearts to see if we are harboring any hard feelings or resentments.  These must be purged by forgiving those whom we believe have wronged us (no matter how great the offence).  HaShem will only forgive us according to our capacity to forgive others.  Forgiveness is a way of releasing the burdens of the past that weigh us down.  Only by forgiveness can we live lives unburdened by the past. 

A few years ago I was involved in a prison ministry counseling women in prison.  Nearly all of these women had been abused (either physically or sexually) by their fathers.  The only effective way for them to end the cycle of crime and incarceration was to call their abusers and tell them that they forgave them.  You would be amazed at the miracles that took place in the lives of these women and in the lives of their abusers from this one simple act.

T'shuva is also time to ask forgiveness of others for wrongs (or even perceived wrongs) that you may have committed.  You must not only forgive others but you must also be forgiven by others.

HaShem's mercy is without end for those whose hearts truly turn to Him with a spirit of humility and forgiveness for others.

Kol tov,

Shomeir