One reason false messianic tragedies keep happening is that people mistake signs of redemption for the work of redemption.

One reason false messianic tragedies keep happening is that people mistake signs of redemption for the work of redemption.

What does teshuva actually mean?

Teshuva means to return and come close.

It means restoring a relationship from distance.

That distance is not only caused by doing something wrong.

"Sometimes the distance is much colder.

It is the hidden attitude of, “If I could get the benefits without the relationship or living through responsibility, that would be better.”

That is a deep pain." [intense emotional numbness] - Likutei Torah.

It means a person may want goodness, safety, certainty, community, or redemption, but not the closeness, honesty, responsibility, and trust that relationship with the Creator requires.

Teshuva is returning from that coldness.

What cannot replace teshuva?

Moving to Israel is not a replacement for teshuva.

Believing someone is the messiah is not a replacement for teshuva.

A small-large group studying Torah is not a replacement for the teshuva of the Jewish people.

Where does redemption begin, and what is awe?

Redemption comes through the Jewish people returning to relationship with the Creator. - Maimonides

That relationship begins through feeling awe toward Him and expressing appreciation. - Chabad Chassidus
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Awe means becoming aware of the Creator’s greatness through fear and wonder.

The fear comes from realizing that your choices truly matter before Him.

The wonder comes from realizing that the Infinite Creator desires human beings to freely reveal goodness within His world.

That awe can cause love if you trust He is good.

Love wants greater closeness with Him, and the intimacy can include sadness because more of His goodness can be revealed in the world.
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What does appreciation sound like day to day?

Appreciation means saying again and again, “You are good, Your instructions are good, and You have my best interest in mind.”

That means learning to trust that He is good.

The Rebbe explained that this also means living with the mindset, “I am here to be a channel of goodness toward myself and others,” while asking the Creator for more revealed goodness.

It means life becomes a conversation with Him.

Not only in the mind, but in the nervous system too.

Why do mitzvos need meditation?

Mitzvos are the Creator’s instructions, but meditation helps those instructions become relationship.

A person has to think again and again: “This action is helping me return to the Creator. This is teaching my body to trust that His instructions are good.”

Sometimes that means taking one to five minutes of slow breathing with the mitzvah (5 second inhale, 5 second exhale), so the mind, body, and nervous system are all practicing return.

Without mitzvos (His instructions), teshuva often does not last.

Without meditation, mitzvos can become cold routine.

But with mitzvos and meditation together, teshuva reaches the nervous system and becomes a practiced relationship with the Creator.

Why is redemption not escapism?

When people skip that inner work, they may attach their hope to a person, a place, or a movement, and then call that redemption.

But redemption is not escapism.

Redemption means the Jewish people return to the Creator so deeply that His goodness can be more revealed in the world.

Related guides:

Buddhism/Atheism isn't healthy for the nervous system but they do give spiritual gifts: Beliefs are not only an idea in your mind Jewish secret to transform suffering into goodness: You can have good arguments and still struggle with fear, shame, or people-pleasing Why should all of humanity study Jewish mysticism? Jewish mysticism is relevant for all of humanity Misguided awe can be like idol worship: One unhealthy spiritual pattern is misdirected awe Adam and Eve revealed the work human nature was designed for: Humanity becomes a co-partner in creation

Questions people ask

What does teshuva mean?

Teshuva means to return and come close. It is restoring a relationship from distance, and that distance is not only caused by doing something wrong. It can be a colder attitude that wants the benefits without the relationship. Teshuva is returning from that coldness, and seeing that hidden attitude honestly is the emotional skill it starts with.

Can moving to Israel or believing in a messiah replace teshuva?

No. Moving to Israel is not a replacement for teshuva, believing someone is the messiah is not a replacement, and a group studying Torah is not a replacement for the teshuva of the Jewish people. Redemption comes through the Jewish people returning to relationship with the Creator. These can be signs, but they are not the work itself.

What does awe toward the Creator mean?

Awe means becoming aware of the Creator’s greatness through fear and wonder. The fear comes from realizing that your choices truly matter before Him. The wonder comes from realizing that the Infinite Creator wants human beings to freely reveal goodness in His world. That awe can cause love if you trust He is good.

What happens when you do mitzvos without meditation?

Without mitzvos, the Creator’s instructions, teshuva often does not last. Without meditation, mitzvos can become cold routine. Together they let teshuva reach the nervous system. That can mean one to five minutes of slow breathing with the mitzvah, five seconds in and five seconds out, so awe, appreciation and trust become practiced emotional skills.