Ki Seitzei (1b): Evil-ectomy

We explained in a previous post that the first tool that we need to utilize in our fight against the Yetzer HaRa is separation. We explained that we firs need t realize that there is a fight between two warring entities, a reality that was blurred as a reslut of Adam HaRishon's sin. Prior to that folly evil was a clear outside force, but things are different now and evil speaks to us in our own voice, pretending to be us and that its desires are our own.

This concept that making a separation is the first step to winning is the key to understanding a difficult Gemara.

Chazal say (Brachos 12b) that if one does an Aveira and is subsequently embarrassed of his deed, he is forgiven for all of his sins. This is hard to understand: Why is he forgiven for all of his wrongdoings? Would it not be more sensible to be forgiven only for the which he regrets?

Rav Kook answers with an amazing Yesod:

The Pasuk states, לא יגורך רע, Those who are evil cannot dwell with you. Hashem is total Goodness and there is no room for evil in His presence. Therefore sinners are on the outside.

Ain Aya, Rav Kook's
ingenious commentary on
the Aggadeta of Brachos
and Shabbos

But only a certain kind of sinner. One who does an Aveira and feels no remorse sends a powerful message: I am at peace, and therefore one with my evil. If I can do wrong and not feel bad about it, I am essentially saying that this is me.

On the other hand, if one does an Aveira and then regrets it he shows that that he is not one with the evil. It makes him uncomfortable. I am good, this action was bad and those two realities don't blend. They don't co-exist,

Therefore, If one sins and regrets it, he is making an important separation. He is powerfully stating that he is intrinsically good and that evil, while it may make an occasional appearance in his life - is not the true self. Such a person, at that moment distances himself from all of the evil in his life and is forgiven for all of his misdeeds.