The importance and the power of teshuva, repentance TB Zevakhim 7

 I love when there’s a coincidental connection between the daf yomi and the holiday were about to celebrate. Today is erev Rosh Hashanah. One of the most famous and well-known prayers is the Unetaneh Tokef which says “On Rosh Hashana their decree is inscribed, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed…But repentance, and prayer and charity annul the evil decree.”

Daf TB Zevakhim 7 reminds us of the importance and the power of repentance. A sin offering, khatat חַטָאת , is brought to the Temple to gain atonement for one who accidentally and unintentionally transgressed a negative commandment. There are some sages who hold that the whole burnt offering, olah עוֹלָה, has a secondary role by gaining atonement for one who accidentally and unintentionally transgressed a positive commandment like forgetting to put on tefillin one day. The Gemara reminds us that sacrifice by itself is not sufficient for the person to gain atonement. The person has to do teshuva to gain atonement.

“And Rava says: A burnt offering is a gift [doron] to God; its essential purpose is not atonement. Rava supports his assertion: What are the circumstances under which a burnt offering atones for violating a positive mitzva? If one brings a burnt offering without repentance for his transgression, he may not sacrifice it at all, as “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination” (Proverbs 21:27). And if there is repentance, isn’t it taught in a baraita that if one violates a positive mitzva and repents, God forgives him before he even moves from his place? If so, why is he required to bring an offering? Rather, conclude from it that a burnt offering is a gift that one brings in order to appease God even after he is forgiven.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Rava teaches us that without teshuva bringing a sacrifice has no effect. It’s not a magic cure. That’s how important teshuva is! We have to do the hard work of turning our lives around first. Now that the Temple no longer stands, we only have teshuva gain atonement. Teshuva is really powerful because God immediately forgives us for transgressions when our repentance is sincere. That’s good to know as we enter Rosh Hashanah tonight.