שבת Date: 24 Iyar, 5774 (5/24/14) – RoshHashana#16 {Eliezer}

TESHUVA POWER

[16b top] Rav Yitzchak: Four things cause an unfavorable decree against a person to be torn up: Tzedakah (a verse says charity saves one from death), Crying out (the people of Ninveh were saved from death by doing Praying), changing ones Name (when Sarah’s name changed she had a son), and changing your Place (when Avraham moved to Israel he had a son). [Some also say the power of Israel itself allowed Avraham and Sarah to have a son.]

E’s Lesson: Each of these four listed are all aspects of doing Teshuva and changing:
1) Tzedakah: re-molds a person into becoming a GIVER.
2) Prayer: Meditation, self-reflection, and understanding change one’s mindset.
3) Name Change: A constant audible reminder helps one remember whom to now be.
4) Location Change: New friends and environments help influence new actions.
By doing Teshuva, we become NEW people to whom the old harsh decrees no longer apply. May we always work to better improve ourselves and be blessed with Brachos of Nachas, Health, Livelihood and much spiritual growth.