A Word From The RabbiDear Friend, As we know all too well, many resolutions don't last very long. A month or two at most. So what is the secret to maintaining our resolve in the long term? The desire for the next year to be more fulfilling than the past one is a basic human characteristic. While we have many natural needs and desires, both physical and emotional, a feeling of purpose and accomplishment is perhaps the most basic human need. But herein lies the problem. A resolution which is predicated on satisfying one's own needs will be broken as soon as the person feels another, more pressing, need or desire. One human need can always cancel out another human need. The Torah's approach to positive resolutions, however, is quite different. The resolve to change one's ways is an integral part of the mitzvah of teshuvah (repentance), and teshuvahis not at all based on the human emotional need for improvement. Teshuvah isn't, "Oh my, I've had another lousy year, I feel lousy, I need to improve. " Rather, teshuvah is the realization that our purpose on this world to serve our Creator, and unfortunately, we are not serving G d to the best of our abilities. A commitment which results from genuine teshuvah will be lasting, because after accepting upon oneself the yoke of Heaven, no other "pressing" human desire will interfere with the firm resolution to serve G d. Let's keep this in mind when making our resolutions for the coming year, during which we will surely usher in the long-awaited Redemption.
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