Rabbeinu Yonah Reasons For Tshuva - Reason 2: Mid-Life Should Bring Crisis, But Old Age Should Bring Joy!
Rabbeinu
Yonah quotes the gemara in Pesachim (113b) that says that one of the
three people that Hashem despises, is a promiscuous old man. Rabbeinu
Yonah says that it is a wonder and a marvel that a man who has reached
half his life expectancy, and he sees his days slipping away, the
building beginning to collapse, his body starting a downhill trend,
seal his eyes and his heart from seeing that he is traveling a non-stop
path to another world. How could one avoid doing tshuva at that
stage? The only way possible is if you think that you are pure and
just. Get real!
To an old person whose body is broken to the point where they cannot enjoy life, he says the following. Shlomo HaMelech said (Koheles 11:7) "U'MosokHa'OrV'TovL'EinayimLiros Es HaShemesh",
the light is sweet and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. While
your body no longer let's you enjoy the earthly pleasures you enjoyed
in your youth, you should enjoy the light. The light is the days that
you have left in this world, where you can still learn Torah and
perform Mitzvos. After that you enter a world of darkness. Darkness
in the sense that you can accomplish absolutely nothing after your
death. Don't despair, take advantage and enjoy the golden rays of life.
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