Speed Trap

Have you ever been on a highway and saw flashing blue and red lights up ahead?

If you're like most drivers, your first instinct is to hit the breaks and slow down. As you near the source of the lights, your speed slows to exactly within one MPH of the speed limit, as does the speed of the other cars sharing the road at that stretch of the highway.

Then, as the glaring lights fade into dots in the rear-view mirror, your speed climbs back to the (hopefully safe) number it was before encountering the lights in the first place.

As technology evolved, a driver may receive a prompt "police reported ahead", soliciting a break in speed, even before seeing the police, albeit not as drastic as when seeing the lights, but significant nevertheless.
And, as the driver nears the area where the police was reported, full compliance with the speed limit is achieved.

The more I drive, the more frequently I see this pattern. Police spotted ahead. Red break-lights light up. Everyone is following the speed limit. Then, once the cars pass the police car, one by one, as each driver feels that the "danger" has passed, their speed climbs back to what it was before.

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At the most basic level, Teshuva is stopping to do what you were not supposed to do, and not doing it anymore. No commitments. No regrets. No confessions. Just achieving compliance; slowing down to the speed limit.

All throughout the Jewish calendar, there are flashing lights, speed traps, and "police reported ahead" prompts: a special day in the Chassidishe calendar, a birthday,  Erev Rosh Chodesh, Chodesh Elul, Aseres Yemei Teshuva, etc. These days, awaken our Neshama and triggers our deepest desire to be in compliance.

Similarly, an inspiring lecture, a sincere Farbrengen, or a heart to heart talk with a mentor or Mashpia triggers our instinct to hit the breaks; to slow down and get in touch with the rules and regulations of the road of life. It reminds us of our Tafkid and our responsibilities; even reminding us that the speed limit is actually here for our benefit.

The goal, however, is to remain in our in-compliance status, even after the lights fade in the background.

Unlike the daring (read: reckless) drivers who zoom "out of compliance" once they pass the police car, we work hard and toil, in true Avodah, to ensure that the inspiration does not fade with the fading lights; we put in much effort to make sure that the "police reported ahead" prompt, continues to inspire us to maintain a steady, safe and proper speed on the beautiful road of life.

We look forward to the speed traps, and etch the image of their flashing lights in our mind for as long as we can... and when it begins to fade and we find our speed climbing out of compliance, we look for the next speed trap.