[Avodah] teshuva

[Lisa Liel via Avodah]

On 10/9/2016 6:08 PM, Eli Turkel via Avodah wrote:
> I recently a quote from ROY that is based on the comparison of teshuva 
> to a mikvah. He argues that just like a mikvah if part of the body is 
> outside the water then nothing is purified so too with teshuva if a 
> person isn't willing to ask for forgiveness for one sin then G-d 
> doesn't grant forgiveness for all the other sins....

> This goes against everything I have learned. I was always taught that 
> the ordinary person should work on improving himself in one area. Sure 
> the greatest level is when a person completely changes his 
> personality...

I haven't heard what ROY said exactly, but just as a thought exercise,
I'd assume he means that if someone says "I reject this mitzvah", he
can't get forgiveness for other sins. As opposed to someone who says
"I accept all the mitzvot, and I just haven't been able to get myself
to do this mitzvah."

If you say you reject a mitzvah, you're either in rebellion against God,
or you don't believe God gave the mitzvot. If you say you aren't perfect,
that's a whole other thing.

Lisa