Hakhel Email Community Awareness Bulletin
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5.
HASHIVEINU
How fortunate we are that we think of Teshuva every day --at
least three times a day--and that we can actually ASK FOR HASHEM’S
ASSISTANCE in doing Teshuva! The Sefer Olas Tomid notes that both
in this bracha and in the next bracha of Selach Lonu-we approach Hashem as Avinu--asking
for that extra level of mercy that a Father can grant. Accordingly, we
should be sure not to skip over the word quickly--but instead stop and
recite it with the kavannah that it deserves! Rebbe Yonasan
Eibeschutz, Z’tl, in the Sefer Ya’aros Devash writes that when
reciting this bracha, a person should ask Hashem to extend ‘His hand--His
sharvit hazahav’ to accept one’s Teshuva, and plead that even if one’s
Teshuva is tested, Hashem will assist him the second time as well. The Ya’aros
Devash adds the Teshuva we are being mispallel for is not only our
own--but that of all of K’lal Yisroel. Let us think of our
brethren--relatives and friends and those across the globe who have to be
brought closer to Avinu--our Father--each in his own way.
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The Fifth Bracha of Shemone Esrei, Hashiveinu is not
a broad, general call to Hashem to bring us back to Teshuva. Rather, the
Mishna Berurah (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 115, seif katan 1) writes that
the Bracha is intended for each and every one of us to ask Hashem for
him to humble and bring down his own particular Yetzer Hara, and together
with it to bring down each and every member of Klal Yisroel’s own unique
Yetzer Hara. Indeed, the Tur (ibid.) writes that there are fifteen words in
the Bracha corresponding to the fifteen words of the Posuk (Yeshaya 55:7):
‘Ya’azov Rasha Darko, VeIsh Aven Machshevosav…--Let the person
who has done evil forsake his way and the sinful man his thoughts, let him
return to Hashem and He will show him mercy, for Hashem is abundantly
forgiving.’
Rabban Gamliel Rabanovitch, Shlita, adds that the first
words of this Bracha are ‘HaShiveinu Avinu LeSorasecha.’ This means, he
writes, that for one to indicate that he really wants to do Teshuva he must
increase his Torah study. After all, if one does not know what is right and
what is wrong, how do they know whether to do Teshuva or not--and how to do
so? Accordingly, in an area in which one feels he is weak (such as Hilchos
Brachos, Hilchos Shabbos, Hilchos Shecheinim) one should invest additional
efforts to put himself on the path to Teshuva-- and this will make his
Tefillah all the more meaningful--and all the more sincere!
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Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Avos 2:13) teaches that one’s
Tefillos should not be uttered as ‘keva’ (routine), but rather
are uttered in a tone of Tachanunim--one pleading for mercy, for the Posuk (Yoel
2:13) states ‘Ki Chanun VeRachum Hu Erech Apayim…’--meaning, the
Bartenura explains, that sincere supplication immediately arouses Hashem’s
mercy. Incredibly, after providing this important teaching, Rebbi Shimon
concludes with the words ‘VeAl Tehi Rasha Bifnei Atsmecha.’ The Rambam
explains that this means that a person should not be a Rasha in his own
eyes, thinking that he cannot avoid doing this, or stop from doing that….
If we are to sincerely daven with Tachanunim in this Bracha for Hashem to
accept our Teshuva, we must believe and, in fact, know, that we can truly
act as Tzaddikim going forward in respect of any aveirah that we have fallen
prey to in the past. Whether it be Shemiras HaEinayim, Shemiras HaLashon,
Shemiras Kashrus, or Shemiras HaGuf VeHaNefesh, we must recite the Bracha of
HaShiveinu with the conviction that we will be better in an area in
which we have previously faltered, then sincerely plead with Hashem for his
assistance, which will hopefully then be immediately answered.
The Bracha of Hashiveinu is extremely and pivotally
important at this time--as we reach a period of the year in which the Yetzer
Hara will attempt to upend us, and make us become lesser people, as we move
closer to Elul and Rosh Hashana. The Parshios of this time BeHa’alosecha,
Shelach, Korach, Chukas… all demonstrate the foible, folly, flounder, and
failure of sin. We can, we must take the lesson--a great place to
start is with our sincere conviction and sincere supplication in the Bracha
of Hashiveinu!
-------------------------
Chazal (Brachos 12B) teach that "Kol HaOseh Devar
Aveirah U’Mesbayeish Bo Mochlin Lo Al Kol Avonosav--one who does an
Aveirah and is ashamed of it is forgiven for his sins." When reciting HaShiveinu
one should feel true remorse and shame for an iniquity that he knows that he
has committed. Clearly, Hashem wants our sincere feelings for His
mercy to be aroused. The Bracha of HaShiveinu concludes with the
unique words: "HaRotzeh BiTeshuva--Hashem wants, Hashem yearns
for our Teshuva"--we have to want it at least as much!
--------------------------------
HaRav Schwab, Z’tl, in the monumental work Rav Schwab
on Prayer (Artscroll), provides the following clarity for us on the
words ‘VeKarveinu Malkeinu LaAvodasecha--and bring us close
Hashem to your service.’: "Help us to become aware that we are
serving You in our Avodah. This refers both to Tefillah and the observance
of Mitzvos. Here we ask HaKadosh Baruch Hu for help in elevating our
Tefillah to the level of Avodasecha--Your service, in
which we are clearly aware that we are communicating directly with HaKadosh
Baruch Hu. The same thing applies to Kiyum HaMitzvos, which are often
performed perfunctorily without the awareness that by these acts we are
fulfilling the will of HaKadosh Baruch Hu and thereby serving Him. We
therefore must ask HaKadosh Baruch Hu for His help in elevating our Avodah
to the level where it becomes Avodasecha. Rav Schwab continues:
"May I suggest the following parable for this. There was a son who
embezzled a huge amount of money from his father and then disappeared. After
many years of not communicating with his father--during which time the son
had lost all of this ill-gotten money--he tearfully telephoned his father
begging for forgiveness and for permission to return home. The father,
having compassion for his long-lost son, readily welcomed him back. However,
said the son, "Unfortunately, I am penniless, Dad, so could you please
send me a ticket to come home?" Similarly, we too are asking HaKadosh
Baruch Hu for help in coming ‘back home’ to Him. We want to make our
Torah and Tefillah meaningful and come close to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, but we
need help from Him to bring us back. We cannot do it on our own. Hakhel
Note: With the powerful three words of VeKarveinu Malkeinu
LaAvodasecha, we cry out for help and draw closer to
Hashem--as we ask Hashem to draw closer to us!
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