TESHUVAH

Proverbs chapter 28








Today we are walking in: Teshuvah










Psalm 104:29




Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return H7725 to their dust.



















RETURN










Today we look to- RETURN -H7725 shuv--to turn back, return, to bring back, to be returned, be restored, be brought back
















The Torah testifies...............




Genesis 3:19




In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return H7725 unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. H7725






















The prophets proclaim..................




Hosea 5:15




I will go and return H7725 to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.






















The writings bear witness...........................




2 Chronicles 30:9




For if ye turn again H7725 unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again H7725 into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return H7725 unto him.











Grand Rising Fiveamprayer Family! Happy Day 6! Happy Preparation Day! As we continue to walk in Teshuvah! The Month of ELUL we must make every effort to turn completely and face the truth about our sincere apologies!




When we avoid the discomfort of painful conversations and sweep resentment under the rug, we circumvent the self-analysis and awareness necessary for growth. Our trite little apologies may spark a moment of genuine goodwill, but failing to address or repair issues won't ignite change and the deeper connection that comes through conflict resolution.And while it’s painful, if we are willing to apologize to someone who should apologize back — and doesn’t — we are undertaking the hard spiritual work.




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Real teshuva is not a transaction — it’s doing the right thing simply because it’s the right thing. That’s why the trite apology falls so short: it makes us feel like we did the right thing, when we have not.




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For example, if I have hurt someone — and we both know it — this blanket apology doesn't work because I am not taking responsibility. In effect, I am saying that if you were hurt or offended by my behavior, then I'm sorry for your reaction, rather than the more courageous statement that I truly regret what I did, regardless of how it affected you.




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In other words, a trite apology basically amounts to, “Sorry, not sorry.”




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On the other hand, if I have hurt someone behind their back, and I never admit it, then my blanket apology is entirely disingenuous. Spiritually, I have dug the hole even deeper.




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What if someone has hurt me unintentionally but is unaware of how I am feeling? If I am silent in the face of their generalized apology, I may be shortchanging that person's need for more sensitivity or awareness of their behavior. It's uncomfortable to share when our feelings get hurt, but playing it safe is a disservice to meaningful relationships.




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So, what can we do? Instead of trying to muster big cathartic moments on demand, we should work on building our apology muscles all year. It's a good practice to do a nightly cheshbon (accounting) and reflect on how our day unfolded — what went right and what we wished we may have done differently.




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Some couples are good at consistently expressing appreciation. But it is equally valuable to make it a deliberate practice to routinely verbalize regret for insensitivities — and the smaller and more subtle, the better. Starting small but consistently builds a foundation for success, refines our character, and shapes our relationships.




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The word teshuva is often translated as repentance, but it literally means to turn. When we hurt someone, we turn away from them. Teshuva is turning back towards that person. When Yah separated Adam and Eve, He created beings to have a face-to-face and heart-to-heart connection. Fake or simplistic apologies keep us divided. The Most High help us grow with integrity, increase our relationship intelligence, and connect more deeply and authentically with Yah.




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Become adept at giving and receiving apologies when it is not high stakes, so you can tackle the deeper and more painful issues when they arise. This is not the time of year to skim the surface, but to mine the spiritual treasures of self-discovery. Surrendering the ego prepares and elevates you to receive the highest spiritual benefits of this time of year. Elul is the time to fully embrace the process of teshuva, so that our sincere apologies and regrets can create a true opening to growth and connection.