Daily Zohar # 4857 – Acharei Mot – What healing did he give you?

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Hebrew translation:

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Zohar Acharei Mot
Continued from previous DZ
#345
Rabbi Abba told him, “Who is the healer who healed you?” He said to him: “It was Rabbi Samlai (ר׳ שמלאי).” Rabbi Abba asked: “What healing did he give you?” The man replied: “Healing of the soul.” “From that day onward, I repented. And each day, I would see my face in a mirror, without change, and I would cry before the Holy One, Blessed be He, Master of the worlds, over that sin. And with those tears, I would wash my face.” Rabbi Abba said: “If repentance had not been prevented from you, I would have removed that mark from your face. But I declare upon you (this verse): “וְסָר עֲוֹנֶךָ וְחַטָּאתְךָ תְּכֻפָּר” ‘Your iniquity is removed and your sin atoned.’ (Isaiah 6:7)” The man said: “Please, say it three times.” Rabbi Abba said it three times, and the mark was removed.
Notes:
Rabbi Samlai, a sage and healer, did not remove his physical mark but healed his soul. The man truly repented: He cried daily over his sin. He remained aware of it, looking at himself honestly. He begged for Divine forgiveness, not forgetting his mistake. His tears were not just physical—they were the washing of his soul.
True repentance—sincere regret, confession, and continual turning toward Hashem—can erase even the deepest stains upon the soul and the body.
This story teaches that no sin is beyond repair, and the Shechinah herself is moved by the tears of sincere penitence. Even spiritual scars left by grievous actions can be healed and erased through heartfelt Teshuvah.
#346
Rabbi Abba said: “Indeed, your Master (Hashem) desired to remove the mark from you because you have truly been found in repentance.” The man said to him: “I vow, from this day forward, to engage in the study of Torah day and night.” Rabbi Abba asked him: “What is your name?” He answered: “Elazar (אלעזר).” Rabbi Abba said: “Elazar — truly, your name signifies it (‘אֵל עָזַר’ ‘El azar’ — ‘God has helped’), for your God has helped you and has been with you.” Rabbi Abba then sent him off and blessed him.
Notes:
Repentance transforms destiny. Even someone stained by grave sins can, through true Teshuvah, rise to a destiny of Torah, blessing, and Divine favor. Every sincere act of Teshuvah awakens Divine help, and a person’s name and essence are illuminated anew.

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