Teshuva - “Return” of the Jedi
Certain images in life are so vivid, so poignant, that they strike a deep cord within our psyche. The inevitable effect is that we never forget them. For many, one such image is the climactic ending of the movie Return of the Jedi.
In a scene charged with emotional tension, an epic battle between the dark force and good ensues. The scene is in the Death Star throne room of the Emperor. Darth Vader, the Emperor’s right-hand man, and Luke Skywalker are enwrapped in a classic light-saber clash.
We discover that Vader is really Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father, who gave in to evil, capitulating to his dark side. The Emperor tries his best to get Luke to give in to his anger and embrace the dark side. Luke immerges victorious, refusing to kill the incapacitated Vader and allow his vengeful passion to control him. The Emperor, in a fury of rage, moves to kill Luke.
The stage is set and in a moving change of heart, Darth Vader returns from the shadows as Luke’s caring father, drawing upon the spark of good that was still shinning within his corrupt soul. He clutches the Emperor and propels him to his doom. In a moment, the symbol of the dark side is pure white. Darth Vader, after a lifetime of evil, is suddenly Anakin Skywalker, a hero forever.
We walk away, emotionally exhausted, wondering about what we have just experienced. Why was it so stirring? Some might wonder, can one really become a hero in one moment?
The answer is that this presentation has painted an allegory of real life to which we can relate. We are complex beings comprised of many facets, levels, and layers. Nobody is purely evil or entirely good. For most of us, our own lives lack the drama of good against evil. But the truth is, on some level that is exactly what is happening.
From year to year our choices affect us more than we realize and we can drift slowly towards darkness. But regardless of how corroded our spiritual being becomes, we can always muster our latent Herculean spiritual vigor and access that which is untainted within the inner recesses of our hearts. It is never too late to choose pure good.
The translation of the word Teshuva in Hebrew is “return.” The concept of repentance in Judaism is to let go of the evil in your life and to return to the good – no drama required. The purity that materializes can be tangible – you can feel the difference.
Darth Vader was given his moment –his son’s triumph over evil pierced through his black mask and with both their lives on the line, along with the epic battle between good and evil, he had to choose. And in an ending fit for the High Holidays, Darth Vader does Teshuva. His choice inspires us because we sense the same potential within ourselves.
In the words of Maimonides(Laws of Teshuva) the famous 12th-century scholar, “free will is granted to all mankind. If one desires to turn himself to the path of good and righteous, the choice is his…Since free choice is granted to all, a person should always strive to do Teshuva…”
Certain images in life are so vivid, so poignant, that they strike a deep cord within our psyche. The inevitable effect is that we never forget them. For many, one such image is the climactic ending of the movie Return of the Jedi.
In a scene charged with emotional tension, an epic battle between the dark force and good ensues. The scene is in the Death Star throne room of the Emperor. Darth Vader, the Emperor’s right-hand man, and Luke Skywalker are enwrapped in a classic light-saber clash.
We discover that Vader is really Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father, who gave in to evil, capitulating to his dark side. The Emperor tries his best to get Luke to give in to his anger and embrace the dark side. Luke immerges victorious, refusing to kill the incapacitated Vader and allow his vengeful passion to control him. The Emperor, in a fury of rage, moves to kill Luke.
The stage is set and in a moving change of heart, Darth Vader returns from the shadows as Luke’s caring father, drawing upon the spark of good that was still shinning within his corrupt soul. He clutches the Emperor and propels him to his doom. In a moment, the symbol of the dark side is pure white. Darth Vader, after a lifetime of evil, is suddenly Anakin Skywalker, a hero forever.
We walk away, emotionally exhausted, wondering about what we have just experienced. Why was it so stirring? Some might wonder, can one really become a hero in one moment?
The answer is that this presentation has painted an allegory of real life to which we can relate. We are complex beings comprised of many facets, levels, and layers. Nobody is purely evil or entirely good. For most of us, our own lives lack the drama of good against evil. But the truth is, on some level that is exactly what is happening.
From year to year our choices affect us more than we realize and we can drift slowly towards darkness. But regardless of how corroded our spiritual being becomes, we can always muster our latent Herculean spiritual vigor and access that which is untainted within the inner recesses of our hearts. It is never too late to choose pure good.
The translation of the word Teshuva in Hebrew is “return.” The concept of repentance in Judaism is to let go of the evil in your life and to return to the good – no drama required. The purity that materializes can be tangible – you can feel the difference.
Darth Vader was given his moment –his son’s triumph over evil pierced through his black mask and with both their lives on the line, along with the epic battle between good and evil, he had to choose. And in an ending fit for the High Holidays, Darth Vader does Teshuva. His choice inspires us because we sense the same potential within ourselves.
In the words of Maimonides(Laws of Teshuva) the famous 12th-century scholar, “free will is granted to all mankind. If one desires to turn himself to the path of good and righteous, the choice is his…Since free choice is granted to all, a person should always strive to do Teshuva…”
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