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Parshas VaYelech - On Being a 'Baal Teshuvah'

By Avraham Cohen

Posted on 09/17/15

Parshas HaShavua Divrei Torah sponsored by
Dr. Shapsy Tajerstein, DPM - Podiatry Care.
(410) 788-6633

This dvar Torah was sent to me by R’ Eliyahu Singer and was written by Elisha Greenbaum, originally appearing on the Chabbad website (www. chabad.org) ; it is reprinted here with a few emendations:


A friend of mine was discussing the changes he’s made in his lifestyle over the last ten years. Hailing from a family where the traditions of Judaism were an afterthought at best, he has gradually adopted a number of observances into his life.


With the encouragement of rabbis and other mentors, he now puts on tefillin once a week, buys only kosher meat and is a semi-regular synagogue attendee. He and his wife have just enrolled their children in after-school Hebrew lessons.


"I've come a long way from where I started," he observed to me, "but I'll never be a baal teshuvah” (the term most usually used to describe those who choose to lead a Torah observant life although they weren’t raised that way).


I know it was a bit rude of me, but I couldn't help laughing at him. "What do you think you are now?" I said.


When you say the words baal teshuvah, people instantly think of a full-fledged returnee to yiddishkeit; a card-carrying ‘black-hatter’, who's made a total commitment to an Orthodox way of life.


But the word does not necessarily mean that. Teshuvah is the process of returning to one's roots and reconnecting to G�d. For some people this takes an hour, while others may stretch their journey over a lifetime.


We are all expected to be baalei teshuvah. Every time you make a subtle change for the better, or even contemplate reordering your priorities to make more room for Judaism – why, you've just done teshuvah.


The fifth rebbe of Ger, Grand Rabbi Simcha Bunim Alter (1898-1992), was once speaking to a teacher in a yeshiva for newly-observant young men. The man was detailing the pedagogical methods used in the institution and the radical changes that many of its graduates had made in their personal lives. Then he realized that he might have inadvertently given a mistaken impression of his own background.


"Don't get me wrong, Rebbe,” he said. “Though I work with them, I myself am not a baal teshuvah."


The Rebbe responded, "Why on earth not?"


Indeed, why on earth not? Even someone born to a family where full mitzvah observance was the norm must aspire to “do teshuvah.” Each one of us must ask ourselves: Why am I not a baal teshuvah? Why have I not been inspired lately to change for the better?


Even the most famous and respected rabbis in the world declare three times a day during prayer: “Bring us back, our Father, to your Torah and let us return to you with complete teshuvah (teshuvah shleimah)” – and, hopefully, they mean it!


In the traditional way of thinking there are no 'segments' in Judaism – i.e. the religious and the irreligious, with people occasionally moving between camps; rather, there are just Jews. Sure there are various levels of observance and belief, but it is hoped that every Jew is busy moving along a continuum, approaching ever closer to that end of the spectrum which is nearer to Gâ��d and greater Torah observance.


The theme of this time of year is Change. This includes: gradual change, constant change, permanent change, change for its own sake and change for G�d's sake. This is the time of year when we must ask ourselves: Where was I last year? Where am I now? Where will I be tomorrow?


Even someone who has made a journey towards complete observance can't afford to sit back and bask in the distinction of being known as a baal teshuvah; even they are expected to undergo a constant process of reinvention. The highest praise in Judaism is to be called a baal teshuvah (just as an accomplished Sage is known as a talmid chacham – literally, a ‘wise student’)  and that's an ongoing goal to which we must all continually aspire.


Over the last decade, the man I feel proud to call my friend has made changes to his lifestyle and way of thinking that are truly amazing. Like all of us, he is on a lifelong journey towards Gâ��d, and his accomplishments to date are priceless. May we all be zocheh (worthy) to proudly wear the label “baal teshuvah” and bask in the changes we have already made, and in the changes we will make in the future, BS”D.