Sins of Youth – Tikkun According to the Baal Shem Tov

Tikkun for the Sins of Youth According to the Baal Shem Tov

In the prayer “Akedat Yitzchak” there is a pasuk: - “Kach na et bincha et yechidcha asher ahavta et Yitzchak.” The Baal Shem Tov (zechuto yagen aleinu) teaches that here we see a secret dialogue between Ha-Shem and Avraham. Ha-Shem says to Avraham: - “Take your son – “kach na et bincha.” - Avraham asks: “Which one? I have two.” - Ha-Shem adds: “et yechidcha” (your only son). - Avraham replies: “They are both my only sons, each one being the only one from his mother.” - Ha-Shem continues: “Asher ahavta” (whom you love). - “I love them both,” Avraham answers Ha-Shem. - “Et Yitzchak” – Ha-Shem concludes. The Baal Shem Tov tells us that this is Ha-Shem’s message to us through the Akedah—what He wants from all of us. The Mekubalim reveal that the very act of the “Akedat Yitzchak” atoned for the sins of all subsequent Jewish generations. And through reading “Akedat Yitzchak”, the merit of the Patriarchs is aroused. Therefore, through the Akedah, Ha-Shem conveys this message to us: - “I, your G-d, want one thing from you: that you, whom I have chosen for Myself—my only and beloved ones—should be with Me in joy: “et Yitzchak,” which is “tzchok” (joy). If you want to be My beloved, then rejoice; show that you are happy in My world. The Baal Shem Tov says that immediately after this pasuk comes the phrase: - “Vayikach et shnei nearav” (and Avraham took two young men with him)—Eliezer the servant and Ishmael. The Baal Shem Tov continues: if you understand that the most important thing to Him (Ha-Shem) is joy, then take joy into your service—“vayikach” (and take) “et shnei nearav” (the two young men)—and this will be your Tikkun for the years of youth. Through this, all the sins of youth can be rectified. Ha-Shem, as it were, says: if you do not complain, but remain joyful, then all your sins will be annulled—and the Baal Shem Tov places his seal upon this. Live for at least one week without complaining about anything—traffic jams, the weather, the war situation, illnesses—about anything at all. This helps bring about a Tikkun for the sins of youth.