In this week’s parsha, Nitzavim, the Torah tells us:

“And you shall return to Hashem your God, and listen to His voice… with all your heart and all your soul” (Devarim 30:2).

Notice — the pasuk doesn’t say “return from sin”, but “return to Hashem.” Teshuva is not about running away from suffering or punishment. It’s about coming closer, clinging to Hashem with all our heart.

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Rambam’s Teaching

The Rambam emphasizes that the highest form of serving Hashem is not out of fear of punishment or desire for reward, but purely out of love. We choose to do good because of our relationship with Him, not because we want to avoid consequences.

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The Nephew in Las Vegas

Imagine a young man whose uncle brings him into the family business. One day, the company needs to send someone to a trade show in Las Vegas. The uncle can’t go himself, so he sends his nephew. But he knows the temptations that exist there. So he fills the nephew’s schedule from early morning until late at night with important meetings.

By the end, he was exhausted, but the trip was a huge success, and he couldn’t have been happier. His days were so full of meaningful work that there wasn’t a moment left for distraction.

So too, Hashem gave us Torah and mitzvot. They are not “restrictions” or “busywork.” They keep us focused, productive, and growing. They are the opportunities that allow us to succeed in life and connect to Him.

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The Husband and His Marriage

Another mashal: A husband struggles with outside temptations. The real solution isn’t to constantly battle the temptation directly. The solution is to deepen his connection with his wife, to spend more time with her, and build their love. The stronger the bond, the less room there is for anything else.

This is exactly how teshuva works. It’s not just about fighting aveirot. It’s about strengthening our bond with Hashem. When we cling to Him through Torah and mitzvot, temptations naturally lose their power.

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Yirah as Relationship

Even our “fear of Hashem” isn’t supposed to be fear of punishment. It’s the fear of hurting the relationship, of creating distance between us and Hashem. Just as someone in a loving marriage doesn’t want to do anything that could harm how their spouse looks at them, so too we don’t want to do anything that weakens our connection with Hashem.

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Teshuva is Not Running Away

Teshuva is not running away from sin — it’s running toward Hashem. Torah and mitzvot aren’t burdens, but gifts. They are Hashem’s way of filling our lives with opportunities to grow, to connect, and to live in constant closeness with Him.

As we approach the Yamim Nora’im, may we not only think about what to stop doing, but even more — what we can start doing to deepen our relationship with Hashem. Because the greatest teshuva is not turning away from something, but turning to Someone.

✨ Ready to put this into practice? Don’t just read about teshuva. Live it. The Elul Reset is your step-by-step path to deepen your connection with Hashem, refocus on what matters most, and enter the Yamim Nora’im with clarity and strength.

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