The Ten Days of Repentance: How to Transform Your Heart and Life

Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa used to say that in the Heavenly Court a person will not be asked why he sinned, but rather why he did not return in repentance.

The Call to Wake Up During the Days of Mercy

In the Pele Yoetz, under the entry “Teshuvah,” it is written: “If throughout the year a person walked in the stubbornness of his heart and his inclination cast him into slumber, then when the month of mercy arrives and the Ten Days of Repentance — this is not a time to doze or sleep. For the King establishes the world in judgment. One must tremble and awaken like a man rising from sleep… for these are days of favor, and his prayer and repentance bear fruit.”

The Ten Days of Repentance vs. the Rest of the Year

The holy books state: ​“The difference between the Ten Days of Repentance and the rest of the year regarding repentance and prayer is like the difference between light and darkness. One hour of repentance and good deeds during these days is greater than many whole days throughout the year.”

How a God-Fearing Person Should Behave at This Time

In Shaarei Teshuvah it states: “It is proper for every God-fearing person to lessen his business dealings, to humble his thoughts, to set aside times day and night to be alone in his room, to examine his ways and investigate; to rise before dawn; to engage in the paths of repentance and upright action; to pour out his plea, lift prayer and song, and supplication — for this is a time of favor and prayer is heard in it, as it is written: ‘In a time of favor I answered you, and on a day of salvation I helped you.’”

These Days Are Like a Festival

The Reshit Chochmah adds that these days are like Chol HaMoed, since they are preceded and followed by a festival. He writes: “…Even if one must be occupied with matters of livelihood and daily needs, he must deeply remember what days we are currently in.”

The Essence of Repentance: Looking Forward, Not Backward

The essence of vidui (confession) and teshuvah is the resolution for the future — to abandon one’s old habits. The Chidushei HaRim would teach during these days: “A person is found where his thoughts are.”

Therefore:

• If a person thinks constantly about his spiritual failures, he is immersed in the realm of the sin itself.

• This prevents repentance, causes emotional heaviness, dulls the heart, and may lead to sadness.

• The thought of the sin is worse than the sin. When one thinks about the mud, he remains stuck in the mud.

The Chidushei HaRim said powerful words: “So he sinned — so he didn’t sin — what difference does that make to the Holy One? While he is thinking about it, he could instead be drilling pearls! Therefore: ‘Turn away from evil’ — turn your mind away from the evil. Do not think about it. ‘Do good’ — if you made bundles of sins, make bundles of mitzvot to counter them… with a settled mind.”

Don’t Say “I Cannot Reach Holiness”

A person should never say: “I do not have the strength to reach spiritual heights of closeness to God, in love and awe.”

Such a person must repeat the words of our Sages: “It is not upon you to complete the work, but you are not free to withdraw from it.”

The Bach explains:

• A person is required to immerse in a mikvah on the eve of Yom Kippur to purify himself.

• Even though today we are all impure from contact with the dead — and immersion does not remove that impurity, we must immerse to purify ourselves as much as we can.

• For every level of purification a person is capable of achieving, he should theoretically recite a blessing (though practically, we do not bless today).

From here we learn that a person must do everything within his power, even if he cannot fully purify himself. If he purifies himself as much as his strength allows, it is considered as though he achieved full purification.

Never Let Go of Your Father in Heaven

From all the above we learn that in all aspects of serving God — especially in matters of purification and repentance, a person must never give up or let go of his hold on his Father in Heaven.

Instead, he must do everything he can with effort and perseverance, using every bit of strength he has. Then the verse will be fulfilled for him: “The Almighty will complete on my behalf”.