Humans are designed to fail, learn from our mistakes, and try again.
There isn’t one perfect figure in the Torah. Abraham and Isaac were probably in a strange relationship after the almost sacrifice. Joseph and his brothers contain soap opera-worthy content. And Moses striking the rock…we can’t blame him for being angry with the Israelites. We learn from flawed characters to remind us that being imperfect is a normal facet of existence. However, we have a tradition that nudges us to examine our flaws and find pathways to become kinder, stronger, more attentive, and learned human beings.
Rabbi Eliezer teaches, “Repent one day before your death.” One might think this means repenting on our deathbed. It does and a whole lot more. Rabbi Eliezer reminds his students that no person knows when they will die, so you should repent today. We should repent every day.
Repenting includes examining and admitting our mistakes. Seeking forgiveness. Determining to do better. Being better. Every single day.
And then, tomorrow, thanking God for the opportunity to do it all over again.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Nicole Guzik is senior rabbi at Sinai Temple. She can be reached at her Facebook page at Rabbi Nicole Guzik or on Instagram @rabbiguzik. For more writings, visit Rabbi Guzik’s blog section from Sinai Temple’s website.
