How is it possible that there is an opinion that holds that Yom Kippor can bring atonement even without repentance?

As the Gemara in Shevu'oth 13a states: Rebbi said, For all transgressions of the Torah, whether he repented or not, the Day of Atonement brings atonement, except in the case of one who throws off the yoke, perverts the teachings of the Torah, and rejects the covenant in the flesh. In these cases if he repented, the Day of Atonement brings atonement, and if not, the Day of Atonement does not bring atonement.

This can be explained with the help of the following Midrush:

In Midrash Rabbah Genesis 65:15: R. Isaac-R. Levi said: Two men, one possessing a thick head of hair and the other bald-headed, who stood near a threshing-floor. When the chaff flew into the locks of the former, it became entangled in his hair; but when it flew on to the head of the bald man, he passed his hand over his head and removed it. Even though Jacob is defiled by sin throughout the year, the Day of Atonement can procure forgiveness.

The midrush means that the Jewish people can "brush away" all their sins on Yom Kippor because they are not entwined in their sins but rather their sins are external to them.

Rav Eliyahu Dessler asked: Why does Israel sin if its inward soul is so pure? He quotes the Maharal who says that ours souls are essentially pure and the sins, which we do, are induced by external factors. Rav Dessler goes on to explain that external factors which cause us to sin are the effects of the environment, the influence of the pagan nations and the difficulties of life in this troubled world. But we have the power within us to overcome all these obstacles. They are only external; they are not part of our real selves. They can be shaken off if we only make up our minds to release our human potential as members of the Jewish people.

If we can achieve all this on Yom Kippor even without repentance image how much more we could grow if we actively repent with a full heart. No matter how far away we our from our Yidishkite, deep within our soul we are alive and awake yearning for our Creator.

May we all be signed in the Book of Life

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rabbi Mitterhoff,

quote:

If we can achieve all this on Yom Kippor even without repentance image how much more we could grow if we actively repent with a full heart.

Isn't the point that if we are living b'emes torah v'mitvos that we are living a life of repentance, and that if we are at such a madrega yom kippur and all of it's observances are part of our seder hashanna.
As an example before I was frum the idea of making it through Rosh Hashanna or Yom Kippur davening was overwhelming and actually painful. As I progressed in keeping torah and mitzvos they ceased to be painful and became meaningful. When I observe my rebeim on RH and YK they are actually extatic. It is truly the zenith of an entire years preparation and a celebration of the coming years opportunities. At their madrega it is not a day of tsuvah separate from life it is part of a life of observance and tsuvah.