9th Tamuz
Complete Forgiveness Through Teshuvah
- When a person does proper teshuvah, the sin is fully forgiven.
- No trace of it is mentioned in judgment, and the person is completely cleared in the World to Come.
Beyond Forgiveness: Regaining Divine Favor
- Even after forgiveness, a person may not yet be as beloved to God as before the sin.
- In Temple times, this was achieved by bringing a korban (offering)โeven for minor missed positive commandments.
- The offering functioned like a gift to the king after reconciliation, restoring closeness and favor.
Fasting as a Substitute for Offerings
- Today, without sacrifices, fasting can serve as a replacement.
- It symbolizes offering oneโs own physical substance (fat and blood) to God.
- Therefore, fasting helps restore divine favor, not just achieve forgiveness.
Examples from the Sages
- Many sages fasted extensively even for minor spiritual shortcomings, such as:
- Not protesting a wrongful act
- Halachic hesitation or error
- Small lapses in mitzvah observance
Teachings of the Arizal
- The Arizal assigned specific numbers of fasts for different sins, even lesser ones:
- Anger โ many fasts
- Rabbinic prohibitions โ dozens of fasts
- Missing prayer โ multiple fasts
- These practices aim to refine the soul and restore closeness to God.
Spiritual Purpose of Fasting
- Fasting is described as a โpleasing offeringโ (ืจืื ื ืืืื) like sacrifices.
- It creates a special time of divine favor, a โday desired by God.โ
Key Takeaway
- Teshuvah removes the sin, but additional effort (like fasting) helps restore deep closeness and favor with God, similar to bringing a gift after reconciliation.