Re’ei, Mivorvhim Elul 5720

These two classes take a deep dive into the idea of the power of “teshuva” which is often translated as repentence but really means *return*.  The level of these classes is intermediate but they are very accessible. These classes function as an entry to working on a personal approach to starting the “teshuva” journey.
Class One:
In the first class focus is placed on the power of “teshuva” to change the past. We typically think of time as different than space – it seems you can only go one way.  If something is in the past it is assumed to be gone.  The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that “through the power of teshuva we become masters over our past.” It is possible to do an act of “teshuva” that affects past deeds and outcomes.  The concept of nullification of vows is also applied to this power of changing the past.  By way of allegory, the common understanding of medical treatment is to heal the patient so the illness will not continue into the future – this is like “hafaras nedarim”.  However, there’s another kind of medicine which is comparable to “hataras nedarim” that heals you so that you were never sick in the first place. 

Class Two:
In the second class, further qualities of sin and ongoing personal choice are discussed. 
“There is a sin and there is a sinner” – what is the difference?
The sins that we do, we tend to repeat – they become bad habits and we lose control. 
This class give a theoretical but easy to understand overview of how to get started on the road to overcome bad habits and challenges and make real change. The fundamental principle is emphasized to never quit trying to return and fix the wrongs. 
A detailed overview is presented on the lower teshuva (tata’a) and higher (ila’a) “teshuva” .  As well as addition, teshuva out of love and out of fear.  These latter two categories do not necessarily correspond to the former two (lower and higher teshuva) and all of these categories are explained with examples.

CLASS THREE:  
In the third class, Rabbi Paltiel covers the connection between Parshas Re’eh and Elul.  
Re’ei means to see and in context it means to see G-dliness which is normally not seen. Our ability “to see” and not only believe has to do with the אחרונים ברצון the will from inside, from the Neshama.
“When the lion roars, who does not shake?”  The Judge wants us to win – He is a Judge but He wants good for us.  

Class Four, Sicha on Elul and Teshuva and Parshas Re’ei 5720
Text: Toras Menachem, Volume 28, p.289-290
This class addresses the experience of “seeing” a revelation of bracha (blessing) and klala (correction) in the process of teshuva.
According to Chassidus, one of the highest levels of certainty is seeing – “seeing is believing”.  
Physical and spiritual sight are contrasted, and the point is madthat physical seeing (though indirect) has real advantage over “spiritual vision”. There are ideas you can understand and there are those that you cannot explain but you can “see” them in the mind’s eye but you cannot defend it in a debate because it has not come down into a level of speaking.  A spiritual/intellectual vision.  When a neshama in Gan Eden “sees” Godliness – it is on a high level of certainty because it is “seeing b’ruchniyus”. 
Rie’ya chushis is “seeing directly” by seeing G-d in physical things that we directly.  
Class Length (33:56)