The Seer of Lublin learned from R' Elimelech, who sent him to Reb Zusha. Reb Zusha asked him, "How would you make a person repent?" The Lubliner answered, "I'd show you in the Shulhan Aruch where he did wrong." Reb Zusha answered, "I don't think that would work." Do you think that would make the person feel good?" On the contrary, it would make them feel bad. And if they feel bad, they would run away from you. People do wrong because they don't have the strength to do right." The Lubliner asked Reb Zusha, "How do you do it?" To which Reb Zusha replied, "I shine the light into them, into their hearts, a great light of the love from God.."
-From Tzaddikim
- May 1931 Two Gun Crowley a serial killer was apprehended by the police after a shootout. "He said, "Under my coat is a weary heart, but kind one - one that would do nobody harm."
- Al Capone, the most notorious gangster considered himself a hero.
- Dutch Schultz, mobster, told a newspaper reporter that he was a public benefactor.
The wicked do not see themselves that way. Perhaps then Zusha was correct that the best way to get people to do teshuvah is "to shine a light on them." Then their defensiveness will be in check and allow them to reach into themselves to bring out the best.
Comments