Ha'azinu: Shabbat Shuvah - I Can Change

Why do we fast on Yom Kippur? For one day HaShem draws me into disorientation. For one day, I change my routine. For one day, HaShem requires me to do something that isn’t a normal part of my life. Maybe the fast itself is teaching me something about Yom Kippur before I ever say a word of confession. During Yom Kippur, with its focus on repentance and teshuvah I learn that I am not a prisoner of my past. And through fasting, I say boldly, my appetite is not in charge. For just one day, "I can't change" is not the last word.

Parashat Ha'azinu sets God's faithfulness against Israel's corruption and neglect of "the Rock who begot you." Rabbi Sacks teaches that rather than the Greek model of determinism and fatalism, Judaism—through the Torah—recognizes moral agency. Life is not fatalistic. We can choose!

Many of us have focused our study time this season on Psalm 27: “My heart says of You, ‘Seek My face.’ Your face, ADONAI, I will seek.” This is Teshuvah—to turn my face to Adonai, to turn away from my sin—to respond to his call, “seek my face.”

Teshuvah is beautifully illustrated through Yeshua's parable of two sons. There was a father who had two sons. You know the story—you can find it in Luke 15. The younger son demands his inheritance, “travels to a far country,” and squanders everything. With the money gone and hunger in his belly, he finally "came to his senses." In honest confession and repentance, he returns to his home and to the father who loves him and has been watching for his return. "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your presence." No caveat. Just, “I have sinned.” His teshuvah though is more than words. It is return. Yes, the money is gone, and yes, there are consequences—teshuvah doesn't erase yesterday. It can transform tomorrow. I can change.

And what of the older son? He is now outside—struggling to rejoice over a sinner who has come home. He will not join into the festivities. And the father? He goes after him. He loves him, “My son.” He does not disown him or revoke his inheritance. The story ends here. What became of the older son? The father is still seeking his son. “Teshuvah doesn’t erase yesterday. But it can transform tomorrow. I can change.”

A Moment of Reflection: • The pigpen. The younger son "came to his senses" before he ever got up and went home. Are you eating pig food—settling for something that isn't feeding you? Is it time to stop making excuses and be honest with yourself and G-d? • The getting up. Confession alone didn't bring him home. "He got up and went to his own father." Action. What action do you need to take to move from good intentions to honest obedience? • The older son. He stands outside. Away from the celebration. Nursing bitterness and grievances. And yet the father loves him and invites him in. Is there someone whose return you have struggled to celebrate? What is the Father inviting you to do?