* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
During the month of Elul which has just begun we speak a lot about Teshuvah, derived from the Hebrew for “return.” But to where exactly are we meant to return? If the soul-searching of Elul is meant to change us for the future, how can returning, presumably to the past, be a part of this process?
Today, the 3rd of Elul, marks 90 years since the passing of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook. He was the first chief of Israel and an important spiritual leader. He wrote as follows:
“Authentic Teshuvah immediately illuminates the darkness as a person returns to himself, to the root of his soul, and thus returns immediately to God, the soul of all souls.”
Teshuvah is not about changing ourselves into someone else. It’s about turning inward and returning to who we really are. The tumult of life can have us forget who we are, what we really want, and who we deserve to be.
We tend to get confused and do things that do not reflect who we really are. But, as Rav Kook writes, if we return to ourselves and the root of our souls, we will be reminded that we were created in God’s image, that we belong to Him, and that we are meant to live according to His will, to fulfill the mission he designated especially for us.
Rav Kook explained that there is not only personal Teshuvah but national Teshuvah as well. Ultimately, the entire world must return to itself and become what is was meant to be.
May we all merit to return to ourselves.
