And this is the second form of rationalization, where what I create is this fanciful state: that for people like me, in my situation, it’s understandable; it’s OK.
The Process of Teshuvah
The Torah gave us the process of teshuvah to allow us to change. By getting rid of the sin, I become cleansed. My cloak becomes clean and white again, and the act returns to the realm of something that I don’t do. I never would; it would dirty me, it would sully me, and it’s not the kind of thing I do. Now I can properly separate myself from the sin and put it back into the category of things a person like me just doesn’t do.
This concept is very significant because the most difficult challenge we humans face is change. Growth requires a huge amount of effort, will power, and motivation. However, it also requires much wisdom. Only when a person understands the inner workings of his own psyche and the subtlety of how his mind functions can he take on the gargantuan task of self-mastery.
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