Recalculate Route

One of the wonders of technology is the GPS device:G.P.S that is now equipped in most vehicles. It's amazing in its wisdom and help to humanity. A person leaves home, inputs the destination on the device's screen, and it guides them with voice and visuals until they reach their desired destination. If it's of the best kind, it has innovative and updated maps. Some navigation devices even update immediately with traffic changes, blocks, and road congestion. There's no doubt this technological device has greatly assisted humanity.

However, the most fascinating aspect is the device's reaction to human behavior when instructions are not followed. A person, being human, carries pride. People don't like authority; they believe they know best how to reach their destination. After all, who is this small device with a metallic voice to decide the way... Many times, they decide to be 'smart' and turn against the directives they were given. Then the GPS identifies the deviation. A positive lesson can be learned: it never gets offended, it never gets angry. Even if the driver does it repeatedly, it won't take it personally... It simply responds in a metallic voice: "Recalculating route," as if to say, "When I was created, I was designed with you in mind, dear driver..." Thus, it was pre-installed with two routes. One for the obedient, a map from start to destination. A short or fast route. At the same time, there's also a 'default' map for 'smart' ones like you, who think they alone know. As soon as you deviate, the device doesn't even wait for an apology; it immediately comes to your aid. As if saying to the driver, "I'm ready for that, wherever you turn, I'll bring you back to your destination." It calculates a new route based on your mistake. But consider the wasted time and fuel, both costly... Eventually, you'll reach it, but you'll pay for your pride with wasted time and money. Judaism is the most reliable and updated navigation system for righteous living in this world. Let us observe: even before arriving in this world, a Jew learns the rules of life. Upon birth, they receive a 'life user guide' (Torah, meaning instruction), a detailed guide instructing what he must do to reach the goal. There will be many challenges and difficult obstacles along the way, but if he sticks to the text, a safe arrival at the desired destination is assured. The guide includes instructional and warning signs: "And you shall warn them of the statutes and the laws, and you shall show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do" (Exodus 18:20), and information signs: "If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgment, etc., then you shall arise, and go, etc., and you shall go to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge who shall be in those days, and inquire, and they shall show you the sentence of judgment" (Deuteronomy 17:8,10,11). The guide also offers educational recommendations and encouragement for choosing the right decision to fulfill the laws: "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life so that you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19), as stated in the prophet Hosea: "Who is wise, and he shall understand these things; prudent, and he shall know them; for the ways of Hashem are right, and the just shall walk in them, but transgressors shall stumble in them" (Hosea 14:10). The choice is completely in the hands of the person.

Yet, on the contrary, the situation was anticipated where a person would not accept authority but would cunningly break the laws. They would deviate from the path and walk crooked ways, not listen to warnings and recommendations, doing only what pleases their heart. For this, a new route was calculated. As it is stated: "If your dispersed will be at the end of the heavens, from there Hashem your God will gather you, and from there He will take you". Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz explains in his interpretation "Ahavat Yonatan": "That is, when a person is righteous, he is close to heaven, and if he sins a little, he is somewhat distant, and when he sins more, he is very distant until when he increases sinning he is at the end of the heavens, in any case, He will gather you and help you repent" (Deuteronomy 30:4). In the original plan, even before the creation of the world and man, the possibility of deviation and distance was seen, and thus a route back was built. As explained in the Gemara in Pesachim 54: "It was taught that seven things were created before the world was created, and these are they: Torah, repentance, etc." But there are some basic conditions that a person must fulfill, without which the return plan will not be implemented.

The initial condition is: to stop. If he continues in his misguided way in the wrong direction, he will lose time and other advantages. Stage B: humbly and willingly accept the detailed plan: 'Recalculate route' - meaning to turn the wheel in the right direction. And what next? The foundation of the idea is repentance logically according to the structure of the human soul. A person's evil inclination awakens with exceptional strength and wisdom to thwart any will and act of repentance. Therefore, it is very important to know the 'obstacle course' present on the returner's path. The obstacles are many; let's detail two of them.

Difficulty number 1. "All beginnings are difficult" (Yalkut Yitro). What's the idea of the initial difficulty? It's found precisely in the physiological level - in the human brain. Since the concept of repentance is to change and alter from corrupt behavior. In the case of a one-time offense, repentance is easier. But if, heaven forbid, the offense is repeated and takes root in the sense that "habit becomes second nature", it's important to be aware that the human brain is not a fan of changes! The human brain generates electrical currents termed in professional language: synaptic transmission (electrical). When a person performs an action over and over in the same way, the brain uses the same neurons and nerve pathways. Conversely, when the brain faces a new task - the brain has to mobilize into a new functional organization of all the nervous muscle and skeleton systems. The new action requires the brain to reorganize the movement systems and generate a new wiring of connections between neuron cells of the neural networks. This is a process that takes time and requires practicing the new action to establish the new nerve organization processes. So, how will a person cope with this difficulty?

Three answers: A. "Whoever comes to purify, they assist him" (Sanhedrin 90). There is a promise from heaven that you won't walk alone; you will be given real assistance. Within the package of divine assistance, there is support in receiving strength to deal with this difficulty. B. 'Physical therapy', like the initial physiotherapy exercises after temporary limb paralysis. The initial exercises are very hard, but as we repeat the exercise again and again - the muscles strengthen and the actions become easier. Thus with the mitzvah of repentance, the difficulty of change is indeed associated with effort, but simply knowing that the emphasis is on beginnings, yet over time the 'spiritual muscles' strengthen and the difficulty fades as we repeatedly carry it out. C. 'Positive synaptic conduction' - after passing the stage of difficulty, we gain an additional profit that the positive path of change will be validated as a fact that the brain will complete with, and then the brain will provide physical support to maintain the state. More than that, when a negative urge from the past arises, the brain will show resistance signs due to the new path, and then the brain 'will help' the person stay on the positive path.

Difficulty number 2: 'I want but I can't'. When a person tries and encounters difficulties, sometimes instead of coping they declare despair with a rational explanation by saying: I really want to change, but I just can't. I have no strength, this is not for me, I will collapse from this, etc. The root of the problem lies in the misunderstanding of the concept 'will'. Will is a willingness to pay the price. The one who wishes to study the entire Talmud in one night and still manage to sleep... doesn't really want it! The path to changes involves investment and toil. There are no shortcuts or effort-bypassing roads. There is a price for the desired change. Therefore, when you want and are prepared to change yourself, prepare yourself for the effort involved. But at the same time, strengthen yourself with the worthwhile reward, the satisfaction from the effort itself and standing by your principles will fill you with happiness. Remember: 'The will does not come from the power but the power comes from the will'. Will is: 'a production line of forces'. If you truly desire to change - you will have both the power and the satisfaction and happiness.