אות - רפח

The Rebbe once spoke to a man and quoted the Talmudic edict, “Repent one day before your death” ( Avot 2:10; Shabbat 153a) . The Rebbe stressed the words, one day , drawing them out at great length.

Yesterday and tomorrow are man’s downfall. Today you may be aroused toward God. But yesterday and tomorrow pull you back. No matter where a man stands, he suffers reverses. The man who dwells on yesterday and tomorrow will surely fall away.

The Rebbe therefore stressed, “Repent one day before your death.”

“Before your death” is your entire life. During your entire lifetime, you may only be worthy of one day of repentance. This one day is more precious than every treasure (Proverbs 24:4) . For what does man gain from all his effort? (Ecclesiastes 1:3) . Nothing remains of all your life other than this one day of repentance before God. “Repent one day ” – even one day – “before your death” – during your sojourn here on earth. Forget about yesterday and tomorrow. This one day is everything (see “ His Praises ” #14) . Understand this.