2022/5782
The Klausenberger Rebbe, Zechuto Yagein Aleinu, reached out to a Rosh Yeshivah that had just thrown a Bachur out of the Yeshivah. The Rosh Yeshivah told him that the boy is a terrible influence and that it is impossible to keep him in the Yeshivah. The Klausenberger Rebbe understood and agreed but told the Rosh Yeshivah that he spoke with the Bachur, and the Bachur told him that he is ready to change. The Rosh Yeshivah laughed and said that the Bachur promised him a thousand times he would improve and he never kept his word! The Rebbe then grabbed his long white beard and said, “I am already old. Throughout my years, I promised Hashem more than a thousand times that I will improve, and I have not done so yet. According to what you’re saying, it’s impossible for me to change. There is no hope. But we believe that as long as a Yiddishe soul is alive, the person still has potential to improve his ways!”
The Shem MeShmuel (Rav Shmuel Borenstein, the Sogochover Rebbe) in Parashat Mishpatim writes that on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, Hashem breathes a new breath of life into every single person; this gives, in the heart of every single Yid, a freshness to his life and his Avodat Hashem. However, this only works for those who genuinely desire to make a change and emerge from their own Tumah.
Rosh Chodesh is generally a time for renewal. Nissan is also a time for renewal, and so is Shabbat. Therefore, this coming Shabbat is a very auspicious time for turning a new page in life, thinking about our past actions, and taking upon ourselves to be better. This Shabbat is also a great time to examine what we can do to implement those changes. As a nation, this is the time we left Mitzrayim but entered into the wilderness. On an individual level, this is the time where Hashem gives us the opportunity to leave our own personal “Mitzrayims” (limits, addictions, struggles, bad habits, etc.) and advance into a journey with Hashem towards the ultimate goal of receiving the Torah and Eretz Yisrael.
The story with the Klausenberger Rebbe and the ideas stated above are reminders that no matter what level one is on, he has potential to change and the ability to improve. This is the essence of Rosh Chodesh and particularly the month of Nissan, especially when they fall out on Shabbat. This is the time for new beginnings; this is the time to do Teshuvah. And remember, regardless of what was, the truth is that we can always start anew.