Earlier this week, I visited the Federal Prison at which I serve as the contract Jewish chaplain. I usually visit three divisions within the facility. One of the divisions has many inmates for whom English is not their first language. So, when I am speaking to this group, I often rely on an inmate to translate my words into Spanish. Generally, he does a good job and I am able to understand some of what he was saying.
We were talking about Rosh Hashanah being an opportunity for a fresh start with a clean slate. I used the analogy of a reset button. When he translated my words, he replaced reset with delete. I picked up on the change and pointed out that there is a difference between reset and delete. With the delete feature, one loses the benefit derived from what was there before.
One of the powerful ideas of Teshuvah is that our mistakes can propel us to a higher place. First of all, we have the benefit of learning what not to do. But, most importantly, it is the feeling of distance from Hashem resulting from those missteps, that spurs us to the desire for greater closeness to Hashem. This is why the Zohar states, that one who does Teshuvah packs a more powerful intensity and yearning for closeness to Hashem.
The lesson was not lost on the group. Talking about Teshuvah with prison inmates can be quite meaningful.
May we merit to experience this powerful level of Teshuvah this year during the High Holidays. May Hashem bless us all to be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year filled with open and revealed blessings.
Please see below for my interview with Gregory Manning, candidate for Council-at -Large.
Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin