[Avodah] Teshuva - postive or negative?

[Richard Wolpoe]

On 9/7/07, Micha Berger <micha at aishdas.org> wrote:
>
>
>
> Charatah is inherently depressing. I could even see someone explain
> "charatah" to a child as "feeling sad over something I did". On the
> other hand, while qabbalah al ha'asid isn't /inherently/ joyous (in
> that it is theoretically possible to make such a qabbalah without
> joy), if properly considered it would be joyous -- a renewed and
> positive state, new opportunities.
>
>
>
> Tir'u baTov!
> -mi
>
>
If Harata is remorse  -  an emotion such as depression would be the natural
consequence.
OTOH, if Harata is a change of heart upon realizing that an erro ws made an
dthere is a BETTER way to look at it, then it need not become emotional at
all

EG Harat for a neder.  Had I known that my nephew would get engaged this
Thurdsay I would not have vowed to not eat Meat on Mondays and Thursdays.
This kind of regret is not depressing. just a realization that the action
was done without considering the facts.

EVERY Shoggeig has this element - I coulda/shoulda known better. It is not
necesarrily at all depressing.

Another example:  IF I had know Ya'kov preapred the Sidra better than I I
would have not voulnteered to lein today.  I have harata because I am now
aware that his leining would have been superior. I need not feel dcepressed
over this, just better informed.

AISI Rambam takesseomthing akin to this more dispassionate approach to
harata in general, [albeit he does describe some form of exclamation that
indicates SOME emotion],
OTOH Rabbeinu Yonah comes across to me as more emotionally involved.

Bottom line, Teshuva is gnerally an emotion process for most people, but it
is not necesarily the case. Teshuva and Harata can be based upon a more
intelligent or informed or enlightened reconsideration of one;s actions.

-- 
Kesiva vaChasima Tova
Best Wishes for 5768,
RabbiRichWolpoe at Gmail.com
Please Visit:
http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/
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