Machshava:

Teshuva 

Collections: Rabbi Weinberger: Oros Ha'teshuvah

Description

Teshuvah ila'a (higher teshuvah) is the purification of the inner self, while teshuvah tata'a (lover teshuvah) is drawing others back to Hashem. When doing higher teshuvah we need to be involved in deep contemplation and thought. Lower teshuvah requires us to focus on the practical aspects of Jewish life. Hashem conceals his light to give us space to be, so too, a higher teshuvah person lessens his light in order to illuminate others. Hashem invites us to be in both modes of teshuvah. Any movement in one teshuvah should strengthen the other. These two modes are inseparable and bring shleimus (completeness). The baalei pnimius (inner people) need to take care of the outer physical aspects of their lives.