On Yesterday’s Tanya, the Alter Rebbe explains that being constantly aware of ones misdeeds shouldn’t sadden us, it should rather humble us. It can even produce joy.
How can this be possible?
When we come to understand that our misdeeds or “sins” are an opportunity for us to recognize that we are not perfect, that we do come with our flaws and that H”S always gives us the opportunity to be able to correct these not so good character traits and we should constantly be doing “Teshuvah” (returning to our essence), this will allow us to maintain ourselves humble and G-d forbid not become haughty.
“In fact, as far Joy is concerned, the remembrance of one’s past sins will be especially effective in encouraging happiness in the face of whatever misfortunes threaten to over take him.”
There are three categories in how we should approach this matter: the lowest one is when those who are humiliated don’t humiliate in return (if someone mistreats you, you don’t answer back), the second to the lowest level is when you don’t get upset from the mistreatment and insults of someone else, and the third and highest level is when the person mistreated actually is happy about it because he is able to remember his past misdeeds and is glad to accept the present suffering as a means of rectification.
When we look at life as an opportunity we will be able to achieve this high level of awareness. Moreover, “whoever passes over his feelings, all his sins are passed over.” (Rosh Hashanah 17a)
-Tanya Ch 11-
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