Daily Tanya Wednesday 20th Tamuz Igeres Hateshuvah Chapter 7 Part 1: The two methods of Teshuvah Tatah and returning the lower letter Hei back to its source

20^th Tamuz

1.      The two methods of Teshuvah Tatah and returning the lower letter Hei back to its source:

• The true and correct path of arousing the lower level of repentance and returning the lower letter Hei back to its source is accomplishing two methods.

2.      The first method-Arousing compassion for God and for one’s Godly soul:

• Contemplating the general descent of the soul from above to below: The first method of arousing the lower level of repentance is by arousing Divine mercy from above from the source of mercy on one’s Godly soul. One is to contemplate how his soul fell from a very high level being attached to God who is the infinite source of life, and falling below to a pit which are the chambers of impurity.
• Contemplating the descent of godliness into impurity caused by one’s actions: One should likewise arouse compassion for the source of his soul within the name of God [as sinful behavior causes not only one’s divine soul to be demoted to impurity but even its root in the divine name, as explained in length in the previous chapter]. This method of repentance is hinted to in the verse in Scripture which states “and return to Him and have mercy on Him,” meaning to say that when one returns to God in repentance, he is to arouse mercy for the divinity that is issued forth from God which as a result of his sins and evil thoughts has descended into the chambers of impurity and is now giving it energy and life. On this latter aspect the verse states, “[God is like] who is incarcerated within the gutters,” referring to the gutters of one’s mind, as one’s evil thoughts cause divinity that emanates from God he found be bound within the chambers of evil. This is considered the true exile of the Shechina, of the divine presence.
• The auspicious time for the above arousal of compassion: The most suspicious time for one to his soul and for the divinity that has fallen into impurity is during Tikkun Chatzos. In the prayer of Tikkun Chatzos we state that “The crown of our head has fallen due to sin,” which in fact hints to the above discussion, that the sin of Man causes the Divine presence to be exiled into the chambers of impurity.
• Why God is called humiliated: Rabbi Moses Cordevero writes of God and he is considered a humiliated king. The reason for this is based on what was explained above, as there is no greater humiliation for God than to have his divinity drawn to the chambers of impurity.
• Contemplating the above: When one contemplates all the above points, each person according to his mental capabilities and abilities of comprehension, it leads to an arousal of compassion for God, and brings one to a feeling of tremendous grief and bitterness. This especially applies when one contemplates the greatness of God and how He fills and encompasses all worlds.

3.      The second method-Crushing and subjugating the evil:

• The second method of the lower level of repentance is accomplished through crushing and subduing the side of evil. You see, the entire energy of evil comes from arrogance and haughtiness, and the subjugation and crushing of evil until it is actual dust is how it is and nullified.
• How to crush and subjugate evil-Through being brokenhearted: How does one accomplish the crushing and subduing of the evil? This is accomplished through having a broken and contrite heart, and by bringing oneself to a state of feelings of lowliness and shame. On this the holy Zohar states on the verse “a sacrifice to the name Elokim is a broken spirit” as follows: All the animal sacrifices are offered to the name Havayah which is the attribute of mercy of God. However, no animal sacrifices are offered to the name Elokim, which represents severities. However, there is one sacrifice that can be offered to the name Elokim, and that is a broken spirit, as a broken spirit has the power to break and remove the spirit of impurity.