A Rebbe Story: The Arizal and Teshuvah
One time, an arrogant sinner came to the holy Arizal for the purpose of scoffing at him. Reb Luria zt"l took one look at him, and began to enumerate every sin that he (the sinner) had done that day. The man fainted from the shock. Upon reviving, he fell down before the Ari, and asked how he could repent. And he added "Let the mouth that dared to mock receive its punishment."
The Ari suggested that he die by having molten lead poured down his throat, as his Teshuvah (repentance). The now-penitent was so sincere about his Teshuvah, that he agreed to accept that terrible death - since it would be his atonement.
The Arizal's men laid the penitent down, blindfolded him, and poured down his throat... a teaspoonful of honey! That man was ready to accept a terrible death as atonement, and so it was considered as if he had actually had suffered it.1
Have a great day everybody!
Refoel Berel
1 Sparks of Mussar, page 142. By HaRav Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik zt"l. Feldheim Publications©
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