Ramban on Parshat Nitzavim - Transcending Free Will

In this shiur, we examine a famous, yet perplexing comment by Ramban on the description of the teshuva process detailed in Parashat Nitzavim. After the people repent and return to God, and God returns them to the Land of Israel, God will “circumcise the heart” of the people so that they will each follow God with full heart and soul. What does this phrase mean, and why does this stage appear AFTER the teshuva process? To answer this question, more questions arise as we explore concepts of desire, free will, moral vs. metaphysical perfection, and the true meaning of complete teshuva.

Ramban posits that in the messianic era, it will be human nature to do good, without having to fight a simultaneous conflicting desire. But will there be any desire? What would it mean to be human without free will? Free will is a morally ideal state, but does it come at the expense of a metaphysically ideal state? Ramban’s vision of the future involves a state resulting from true teshuva: not only resolving to DO good, but to BECOME good. Once one becomes good, it is not as possible to choose to do evil, or to desire to do evil. The diminishing of conflicting desires comes from becoming good, and becoming close to God in a world with a greater manifestation of God’s presence.