Day and night, up and down... Does it ever feel like there's a deeper meaning to it all?

Well, let's dive into a fascinating little passage from The Midrash of Philo (specifically, fragment 23), where we find a beautiful allegory about repentance, the sun, and… the number 365. Stick with me, it’s more profound than it sounds.

The passage starts by pointing out the obvious: a year has 365 days. But, according to Philo, this isn't just a random number. It’s a symbol, representing the entire life of a person who's committed to teshuvah — that powerful Hebrew word for repentance, for turning back to the right path.

Now, why 365? What’s so special about the solar orbit?

Think about the sun. It gives us day and night, right? Just like that, the life of someone striving for repentance is made up of light and darkness, according to The Midrash of Philo. There are times of “agitation and circumstances of injury” – dark times, if you will. But then there are moments when "the light of virtue and its radiant brilliancy arises." Periods of joy, growth, and spiritual clarity. It’s this constant interplay, this dance between shadow and illumination, that defines the journey of repentance.

The Midrash goes on to say that this person striving for repentance is assigned "a complete number." The sun, you see, is the chief of the stars, ordained under a specific number. What does this imply? That the journey of repentance, difficult as it is, is also ordered and complete. Even the challenges serve a purpose.

And here’s the really beautiful part: God, being infinitely good, bestows favor most abundantly. He doesn't just forgive past sins; he erases them. By remembering the virtues of those who turn to Him, He chooses to move past their offenses. This is a powerful message of hope and redemption.

Think about it. The sun doesn’t just shine; it warms, it nourishes, it allows life to flourish. Similarly, the path of teshuvah isn’t just about saying "I'm sorry." It’s about actively choosing to live a life illuminated by virtue. It’s about embracing the journey, the ups and downs, the light and the darkness, knowing that even in the shadows, the potential for brilliance always remains.

So, next time you’re feeling like you're caught in a cycle, remember the sun. Remember the 365 days. Remember the possibility of teshuvah, of turning toward the light, and embracing the complete, albeit sometimes challenging, journey of becoming your best self.