"I'll Repent Tomorrow" – What's Wrong with Waiting?

The essence of the month of Elul is to return to the Creator, to desire to get closer and be better in mitzvot and good deeds between man and his fellow and between man and Hashem, to atone for sins and start anew.

The process of repentance "is not in heaven" but "in your mouth and in your heart to do it." It does not involve actions beyond human capability; all that's required is to regret the action, say it aloud, and resolve in your heart not to do it again.

So, what prevents us from repenting, and more so – why are these reasons not justified?

Rabbi Yaakov Israel Lugasi lists several common excuses for delaying repentance in his book 'Nafshi Bish'alati', alongside reasons why it is not worth waiting until tomorrow:

1. Hashem has given us the opportunity for repentance, and it is a privilege and benefit beyond strict justice. If you are awakened now, who is to say you will have the opportunity when you wish?

2. If you're putting off repentance because of life's burdens and difficulties, who is to say they won't increase and worsen?

3. Delaying repentance increases your debts, and you are like a debtor who, instead of paying off debts, increases them, making it harder to repay the longer you wait.

4. No one knows their time to depart from this world. Perhaps death will come before you repent.

5. Time works against you. As a person ages, sins become ingrained, making it harder to disconnect from them.

6. Delaying repentance is a great accusation against the sinner because it shows disrespect to the Creator.