>> Torah portion

Teshuvah:
Return To
A Better Life

Parshat Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy
26:1-29:8; Isaiah 60:1-60:22.

C

hapter 28 of the Book of
Deuteronomy describes the
curses that will befall those
who fail to heed God's word. The pun-
ishments for non-compliance include
the worst imaginable fates to befall a
human being.
We are told, in vivid
detail, of physical afflic-
tions and rampant immo-
rality. We are witnesses to
incurable illnesses, family
destruction and financial
ruin.
These atrocities are real
in our world. This chapter
could be describing vic-
tims of hurricanes, wars
or acts of terror.
Rather than attempt
to explain why certain people are
afflicted while others seem to prosper,
I suggest we look instead at what the
Torah tells us of the content of human
suffering.
As the chapter reaches its dramatic
conclusion, we are told that one's world
could become so unbearable that "in
the morning, you will say 'if only it
were evening: and in the evening you
will say, 'if only it were morning:"
(Deuteronomy 28:67)
These are the words of utter despair.
On rare occasions, however, one
might feel a sense of complete happi-
ness, perhaps under the chuppah or at
the birth of a healthy child. But many
more have experienced the Torah's
words — an aching for the current
situation to disappear.
What will bring comfort to those
in physical, emotional or spiritual
affliction? The Torah claims that in
the morning the sufferer will long for
evening and vice versa.
The logical explanation of "if only it
were evening" is that, "if only this day
would just get over with:' This is simi-
lar to the age-old philosophy that time
heals all wounds. Whatever affliction
I might be suffering from — loss of
health, death of a loved one, financial
or family breakup — I will feel better
tomorrow than I do today.
Rashi, quoting the Babylonian
Talmud Sotah 49a, takes the opposite
approach, explaining the Torah's words
to mean, "if only it were last evening!"

Celebrate the High Holidays

Rashi proceeds to explain that, "prob-
lems get worse as time goes on:'
If today my business is bankrupt
or my wife has left me, why will I feel
better tomorrow? Rather, the Talmud
suggests, if I only could go back to
a time before my troubles
began, now that would be
comforting.
Is comfort to be found in
looking forward or backward?
In the days when I still had
the courage to ride a roller
coaster, I could deal with my
absolute terror by reminding
myself that eventually the
ride would end. But real life
horrors don't necessarily just
stop.
There is indeed wisdom in
Rashi's words. If what afflicts you is
self-induced, then think back to how
you got into such a mess and resolve to
change your ways in the future.
Whatever your suffering, always
remember that we are people with a
history that includes suffering and
loss. By looking backward, we can
learn how our ancestors lived through
horrors and yet survived. Their stories,
along with our holy books and history
books, can provide us with the guid-
ance to face every tomorrow more
successfully.
Teshuvah, the process of change that
we hope to accomplish at this time of
the year, revolves around the power of
the past.
Teshuvah means return. We are
called upon to consider what have
been our deeds and misdeeds in the
recent past, and then to find our way
back to a way of life we know to be
better for both as individuals and as
members of communities.
Some people are forever searching
for a better way of life, believing that
where they come from has been less
than satisfactory. As members of the
Jewish people, we are blessed with
the knowledge that meaningful life is
available to us, and all we need to do is
reach back and reclaim it.

At The SPlue's Bar Jlitsoaft!

This year/ be our honored Bar Mtizvah guest*

f 7- kir- teem ears,

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The Shul has provided a spiritual home for countless individuals

and families seeking to embrace their Judaism in a warm and welcoming setting.

Children and adults have enjoyed our inspirational services,

enlightening classes, and entertaining social and holiday programs.

We invite our old and new friends to join us for the High Holidays

as we celebrate the Shul's Bar Mitzvah. We look forward to coming together

with our spiritual family as we commemorate this milestone

and move toward future growth.

AfAsae, Taa!

* rsvp required. No fees

The Shul - Chabad Lubavitch

Jack and Miriam Shenkman Building

6890 W Maple Rd
WB, MI 48322

248.788.4000

❑

theshul.net/high_holidays

Elliot Pachter is the rabbi of Congregation

B'nai Moshe and the director of student

services at Frankel Jewish Academy, both

in West Bloomfield.

2033470

September 3 • 201...

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