In the beginning of Parshat Shmini, on the eighth day of the installation of the Mishkan (tabernacle), Moshe commands Aharon to bring a Korban Chatat, a sin offering of a young calf (egel).

Rashi explains that this is to let Aharon know that God forgave him by means of this calf for the deed of the (Golden) Calf which he had made.

Targum Yonatan points out thet the sin offering is to bring atonement for his involvement in Chet HaEgel.

We learn from here the strength of Teshuva. Even after Aharon was involved in construction of the golden calf, he was still allowed to serve as the Kohen Gadol in the Mishkan.

Teshuva is not just done on the high holidays, rather it should be done on a constant basis. We beat our chests and say “Selach Lanu”, forgive us, three times a day.

Many ask how it can be that Aharon was not punished for his involvement in Chet HaEgel and the answer is that there is a tremendous amount of strength and power in Teshuva that is performed correctly.

Let’s all take the time to regularly inspect our deeds and focus on doing Teshuva on a daily basis!