1) One who did genuine Teshuva and resolved to [sincerely try to the best of his ability to] never repeat the sin again has that sin erased from his record in heaven, and it's considered as if the sin never happened. (See Mesilas Yesharim Perek 4, Zechor L'Miriam perek 24 and Mabit in Bais Elokim, Sha'ar HaTeshuva Perek 12)
In fact, in its stead he has now a Mitzvah of doing proper Teshuva (and in certain instances, all his aveiros which he discarded are transformed into merits!) (See Chofetz Chaim in Taharas Yisroel Perek 10)
2) Even if, Chas V'shalom, at some point in the future he stumbles and repeats the sin, it is considered a new sin with no connection to the previous sin that was erased by the genuine Teshuva, and thus the previous Teshuva is not negated and is still in full effect. (See Rambam and Lechem Mishneh Hilchos Teshuva Perek 2:2. See also Sefer Chasidim Siman 354)
Of course, a new Teshuva on the current sin will be necessary.
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
There are those that are makpid to say birchas Krias Shema by the zman Krias Shema. What is the source(s) for this? In other words, we all know that if we are davening in a minyan on Shabbos that starts at 9am, they will not say Krias shema bizman in different parts of the year, much less the brochos of krias shema bizmano. Of course, no one wants to cast aspersions on many minyonim in Klal Yisroel, so it must be that saying krias shema before such a minyan is enough al pi halacha. And we certainly know that shemoneh esreh/amida must be davened by zman tefila. But I have known those over the years who were careful to daven with a minyan where they would say the birchas krias shema by the zman as well. I have not been able to find a source for this practice. I would greatly appreciate your help.
Answer:
There are definitely Poskim to rely on that as long as one said the Krias Shma itself before the proper time, even if not said with the Brachos they can be said afterwards during davening followed by Shma and Shemona Esrei and it is considered having said Krias Shma in the right time.
However, the Vilna Gaon and others are of the opinion that in order to be Yotzei Krias Shma in its right time it needs to be said with the Birchos krias Shma.
The Mishna Berura rules like the Gr"a for L'Chatchila but B'dieved as long as it was said even without the Brachos before the proper time it is acceptable.
It is definitely best to try and say krias shma with its Brachos in the proper time, if possible, but if some people do not do it, as long as they say the actual Krias shma in time they are not doing against halacha.
See Biur HaGra Siman 46:19 and Siman 60:4 as well as Ma'aseh Rav , Mishna Berura Siman 46:31 and Biur Halacha Dibur Hamaschil Ki.
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
Every step of Teshuva, no matter how small it may be is extremely significant.
The Yetzer Hara fools us into thinking that we are wasting our time because we aren't making massive changes in our lives.
Do not be fooled by him!
Every baby step is significant; it's not how big our step is that counts it's the direction it's heading that is important!
Important Numbers
