This post was a result of a discussion on Philosophy, and I think it ports well to Judaism
Three Young men named Al, Bob, and Chuck swindle an old man named Vic.
Later on, the three youths decide to become Virtuous and Ethical people.
All three succeed, and adopt a highly ethical lifestyle. All three work out some kind of compensation for their victim, Vic.
So far all are the same. Here comes the emotional component.
Al feels guilt-ridden and depressed. Like MacBeth, he simply cannot remove his "stain", and it haunts him until his dying day.
Bob goes through a period of self-flagellation, seeing the error of his ways as leading him to the pinnacle of saintly conduct. His period of intense guilt is followed by a release. He then feels OK.
Chuck chucks out his past. He has an immediate epiphany and turns over a new leaf, re-starting from scratch as a virtual newborn. He feels no need to be weighed down by past misdeeds that are tied to his old persona. He just moves forward.
Who makes the Best Hozeir Bitshuvah?
Best Regards,
RW
No comments:
Post a Comment