Parshas Re'ey 5758 - '98

Outline Vol. 2, # 42

by Rabbi Yaakov Bernstein

Chodshei Hashanah Vol. 2 # 25

Elul

Benjamin Franklin, the American statesman, scientist and thinker, has acquired a poor reputation in recent years. His downfall did not come about because of Grand Jury Subpoenas, or Special Investigators, but from his own account, in his introspective autobiography.

In youth, after rejecting religious strictures, Franklin borrowed Dryden’s line as a motto: "Whatever is -- is right." Later, he saw the fallacy in this way of thinking. In the autobiography, he relates and enumerates his errors. Eventually, he was able to establish a system to scrutinize and develop character, aiming for nothing less than moral perfection.

T’nuas Hamusar relates that Franklin’s system was the source for the Hebrew ethical classic -- Cheshbon Hanefesh -- and, eventually, Rav Yisrael Salanter’s thirteen virtues (T’nuas Hamusar -- "The Mussar Movement," chapter 23).

Isn’t it strange? The man, the product of whose soul-searching went down in history in the Jewish Ethical Movement, has become defamed in the secular world -- based on nothing other than his own introspection.

Perhaps the explanation is as follows: Many commentators, based on the Medrash, relate that Teshuva only exists for the Jewish People. If Teshuva meant repentance, it would be difficult to understand why the nations of the world cannot repent. Of course, anyone can say that he is sorry, and sincerely regret his mistakes. When we see that he has changed his ways, we would forgive him, as well. Teshuva, however, is a phenomenon in which the errors of the past are eradicated completely. Without the Torah, past mistakes cannot be totally erased.

Indeed, the world has not forgiven Franklin, even though the source publicizing his misdeeds is his own account -- the account in which he attempted to teach the world the logic demanding ethical standards.

If Franklin is not our model of character, his resolve, analysis of human virtues and moral rejuvenation have shown themselves to be, indeed, very useful. Even if unable to rid himself of the past -- or perhaps, as a result of a troubled past -- a person can teach others the need for introspection and examination of character attributes.

Approaching Rosh Hashanah, the month of Elul marks the end of the year. It is the time most propitious for examining our ways and fortifying our resolve. Analysis of past mistakes and resolve for improvement, can elevate those mistakes and turn them into positive lessons. Through Torah, Teshuva, motivated by love, can eradicate the mistakes of the past altogether. The energy produced by committing crimes becomes converted into positive energy -- kedusha, sanctity -- through the mitzva of Teshuva.

Rabbi Yaakov Bernstein
11 Kiryas Radin
Spring Valley, NY 10977
Phone: (914) 362-5156
E-mail: yaakovb@torah.org

Good Shabbos!

Text Copyright © '98 Rabbi Yaakov Bernstein and Project Genesis, Inc.