Tikkunim IX – Finding The Right Remedy
The Talmud teaches us that one form of Tikkun is to define the right solution to a specific situation. We must begin the Tikkun with confidence that we have found the perfect remedy for this problem:
Our Rabbis taught: How did the Israelites inscribe the Torah? — R. Judah says: They inscribed it upon the stones, as it is stated: ‘Thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law etc.’ After that they plastered them over with plaster.
R. Simeon said to him, According to your explanation, how did the nations of that period learn the Torah!—
He replied to him, The Holy One, blessed be He, endowed them with exceptional intelligence; and they sent their scribes who peeled off the plaster and carried away [a copy of the inscription]. On that account was the verdict sealed against them [to descend] to the pit of destruction, because it was their duty to learn [Torah] but they failed to do so.
R. Simeon says: They inscribed it upon the plaster and wrote below, That they teach you not to do after all [their abominations]. Hence you learn that if they turn in penitence they would be accepted.
Raba b. Shila said: What is R. Simeon’s reason? — Because it is written: And the peoples shall be as the burnings of lime — i.e., on account of the matter of the plaster.
And [how does] R. Judah [explain this verse]? — [Their destruction will be] like plaster — as there is no other remedy (Takanah) for plaster except burning, so there is no other remedy for those nations [who cleave to the abominations] except burning. Sotah 35b
“”For through wise strategies you can wage war.” (Proverbs 24:6) If you have made piles of sin, make piles of Mitzvot. If you looked at the world with haughty eyes, use, “Let them be ornaments between your eyes.” (Deuteronomy 6:8) If you spoke falsehoods, use, “You shall teach them to your children.” (11:19) If you used your hands to sin, use, “You shall bind them for a sign upon your arm.” (11:18) If your heart considered sinning, use, “And these matters that I command you today shall be upon your heart.” (6:6) If your feet ran to sin, run to a Brit Milah, which is between the thighs. If you spoke falsely of another, use, “You are My witnesses – the word of God.” (Isaiah 43:10) If you caused conflict, use, “Seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalms 34:15) – Vayikra Rabbah 21:5 – See too, Tikkunei Zohar 18 on the idea of using the limb damaged by the sin to effect repair.
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